In memory of KAPREKAR

Top row (from left): AS Ratnam, PL More, BS Solunke, AD Mahajan

Bottom row (from left): DN Ratnalikar, DR Kaprekar, AL Mohan, Dr. Haridas Acharya

Facebook repost: 16 April 2014 

Thank u DNR for keeping this photo! My regret is that I could not do much for him except to get him nominated as an ex-officio expert on the Board of Studies of Mathematics and Statistics of Marathwada University Aurangabad.

I met him thrice in his koli at Nashik temple. He showed me his publications and research papers by others across the globe on his results on Hershad numbers, Dilshad numbers and Demlo numbers - I came across his name in an article in the Scientific American by Martin Gardiner on KAPREKARS CONSTANT 6174.

I was interested in him and enquired about him from Prof. Narshimham and Professor Srinivasan of TIFR Bombay. I also corresponded with Prof Yates from the USA.

I was mad to do research on Kapraker's work so that he would get due recognition in the galaxy of mathematicians.

Having collected the research papers published till then in international journals and Kaprekar's own publications, I joined Andhra University as an FIP PhD scholar. When I expressed my desire to do research on Kaprekar, they found me to be a maverick. I had to reluctantly investigate PERFECT TOTIENT NUMBERS and quit research after getting M Phil. Subsequently, I wrote to all and sundry in the academic world requesting them to award Kapreker an honorary degree that would have made Kapreker happy. 

Kapreker was just a matriculate and served as an elementary school teacher but his memory remains forever because of 6174 and the subsequent research done by many.

I remain dissatisfied, disgruntled and disappointed, that Karpreker -- a true Aam Aadmi without any Shaukeen qualifications could not get due recognition across the country. My failure to do anything tangible has been my greatest frustration. 

MAY THE MEMORY OF DATTATREYA RAMRAO KAPREKAR LIVE FOREVER!

AL Mohan - 16 April 2024.