By: Isuru Parakrama
July 29, Colombo (LNW): In the serene locales of Bihar, a mathematical prodigy emerged in 1942, whose extraordinary talents promised a brilliant future.
Vashishtha Narayan Singh’s journey from a small village in Basantpur to global recognition was remarkable yet marred by unforeseen challenges.
The legacy Singh left behind raised so many questions as he was perceived to have been missing from the face of society.
What happened to Vashishtha Narayan Singh?
A distinguished student from the outset, Singh excelled in his BSc and MSc exams, leading to collaborations with renowned institutions such as NASA, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), and the University of California, Berkeley.
His academic path began at Netarhat School and continued at Patna Science College, where his exceptional abilities were first noted.
With support from college principal and later Prof. John L. Kelly, Singh earned his PhD in 1969 and gained international acclaim, even challenging Einstein’s theories.
Singh’s contributions to NASA, notably during the Apollo missions, were highly esteemed. On returning to India, he taught at elite institutions like IIT Kanpur, TIFR Mumbai, and ISI Kolkata.
However, his promising career was abruptly halted by schizophrenia, leading to professional decline and personal hardships, including a divorce and institutionalisation.
Singh’s life took a tragic turn with his disappearance during a train journey, only to be found living in poverty in his home village. Despite receiving treatment at NIMHANS Bengaluru and IHBAS Delhi, with support from actor Shatrughan Sinha, his health remained unstable.
He later resumed teaching at BNMU Madhepura, but the shadows of his past continued to affect him.
Vashishtha Narayan Singh silently passed away on 14 November 2019 at the age of 72. His demise remained unbeknownst to many, but later resurfaced in media reports.
The legacy of Singh, recognised with a posthumous Padma Shri, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile balance between genius and personal adversity.
*With inputs from DNA India
