Mournfully, on Sunday, Indian mathematical genius and astrologer Shakuntala Devi, who was dubbed “human computer” for her swift numerical calculation abilities, died after brief illness while she was 83 and is survived by a daughter.

According to her her associate Kavita Malhotra, Madam breathed her last around 8.15am today in a private hospital due to
heart failure and renal problem. Shakuntala Devi was admitted to Bangalore Hospital in the city on April 3 since her kidneys
became weak and she also had breathing problems.

As a genuine fact, rated as one in 58 million for her marvelous mathematical feats by one of the fastest super-computers ever invented the Univac-1108, Devi believed in using grey cells to silicon chips.

Furthermore, Devi could multiply two 13-digit numbers in 28 seconds which was a gift she realised at the age of three.

Honoured with the Guinness World Records

Born on November 4, 1929, Devi figured in the Guinness World Records for her outstanding ability and wrote numerous books. Hundreds of people, including relatives and admirers were present at her last rites, conducted in the southern suburb of the city in the evening.

To conclude, Malhotra, who accompanied Devi on mathematical and astrological tours abroad said that she was a legend and they really didn’t expect madam to go like this. It seems that she was very lively and was looking forward to getting well soon but her health was not good and it’s a great loss for all of them.

There can be no doubt in saying that it's a moment of immense grief for the world of mathematics to loose such a genius like
her even if we know that, all have to die one day!

May God rest her soul in peace!

(AW:Samrat Biswas)