Prof. P.C. Vaidya is no more.

[Ketan Patel]

A great theoretical physicist and a great teacher Prof. P.C.Vaidya
passed away yesterday at the age of 93. He was one of the great
pioneers of Indian science. you may read this news article to know
more about him.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Maths-magician-passes-away/articleshow/5677937.cms

I read the special relativity and general relativity from his book
(with father wallace) when I was in first year B.Sc. I have forgotten
the title of the book but I think this was the only book in Gujarati
which not only explains these great theories but derives insightful
mathematics behind them. I was really impressed by authors that time.

(If anyone of you know about such book, please let me know. I can't
recall correctly, but I borrowed this book either from Gujarat
Collage's Library or M.J. Library of ahmedabad. I will try to search
this book. May be for that I have to go to both these library. I think
whoever wants to know and teach mathematics in interesting way must
read this book.)

Once, I got opportunity to see Prof. vaidya in PRL. Having very
ordinary personality and look, he was very impressive in putting his
viewpoints and thoughts. Explaining theory like general relativity to
layman without using complicated equations and mathematical jargon was
his expertise. World notice him as a mathematician, but I would like
to remember him a physicist because he had always derived the meanings
out of equations which is nothing but physics. I am very surprised by
knowing that still he was teaching (voluntarily) in the post grad.
department of mathematics last year.

I found very good film on his work on GTR. You may like it. Here is
the link.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4382862622658562253#