Delayed recognition
Three years ago, an Orissa engineer's claims to have solved Fermat's Last Theorem was ignored by the state government. However, news that Andrew Wiles of the US has solved the long-standing puzzle has now prompted the state government to sponsor the engineer's trip to England to present his finding to the London Mathematical Society (LMS).
Sushil Kumar Jena of Orissa Engineering College had first written to LMS about his finding three years ago. He was sent a membership form and invited to a seminar in London. But despite approaching the government and reputed mathematicians in the state for help, he was unable to raise the funds. Jena alleges that even the Orissa Mathematical Society took years to accept him as a member and he is, therefore, unwilling to present his work within the country.
Jena's appeal that an international jury examine his work before accepting that of Wiles can now be fulfilled.