In a quaint Indian town (Kumbakonam – my native town) stood my school with a rich history, established as early as the 19th century. This was no ordinary institution, for it was the same school where the great mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan, had studied. The school’s legacy lived on in its students, who carried the weight of its history and the spark of mathematical brilliance.

During my higher secondary years, there was a remarkable math teacher, a man of talent but with no ambition beyond sharing his passion for mathematics with his students. He was one of those rare educators who could make even the most complex concepts come alive through his storytelling.

One of the most memorable lessons he taught us was about the ancient paradox of Achilles and the tortoise. As he narrated the story, we could almost see the mighty Achilles and the slow-moving tortoise racing before our eyes. This seemingly simple tale presented a mind-boggling puzzle, challenging our understanding of motion and mathematics.

Years later, I decided to pay a visit to our math teacher, the man who had inspired my love for mathematics. Joined by a classmate, we made our way to his home, reminiscing about our school days and the unforgettable lessons he had taught us. However, when we arrived at his doorstep, we learned that he had gone out of town.

Disappointed but undeterred, we decided to take a detour and visit our old school. As we walked through the corridors of the school, which had just finished celebrating 150 years since its inception, we couldn’t help but marvel at the connection we shared with the brilliant Ramanujan, who had once walked the same hallways. It was in this very school that Ramanujan’s extraordinary mathematical journey began, and it was here that our teacher had opened our minds to the world of calculus.

Reflecting on that impactful lesson, we realized that the paradox of Achilles and the tortoise had more to it than just a fallacy. Through the magic of calculus, the paradox could be unraveled, and the seemingly impossible became possible. Just as Achilles was destined to overtake the tortoise, we too found ourselves chasing our dreams and aspirations, fueled by the knowledge and wisdom that our teacher had imparted to us.

Today, as an AI Catalyst, exploring new territories and discovering novel insights powered by AI and ML algorithms that have a foundational relation to my favorite subject – mathematics. As we unlock the secrets of data and harness the power of technology, I am reminded of the passion for learning and growth that was ignited by our teacher all those years ago.

In addition to our mathematics teacher, my grandfather also tremendously influenced me, shaping my passion for mathematics. He played a pivotal role in my life and helped nurture my love for this fascinating subject. I look forward to sharing more about his impact and our special bond in a future blog post.
And so, dear reader, I leave you with a thought: age is just a number, and our passion for learning and growth never truly ends. The power of a great teacher, the legacy of a school that has shaped the minds of geniuses, and the guidance of a wise family member can continue to inspire us, no matter how old we are.

In a race, the quickest runner can never over­take the slowest, since the pursuer must first reach the point whence the pursued started, so that the slower must always hold a lead.

— as recounted by Aristotle, Physics VI:9, 239b15

Can’t forget the paradox, the teacher, his enacting the race, and the school