Shakuntala Devi was a world-famous Indian mathematician, mental calculator, writer, and motivational figure, popularly known as the “Human Computer.” She was born on 4 November 1929 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. With no formal schooling, she displayed extraordinary mathematical abilities from a very young age.
Shakuntala Devi amazed the world with her ability to perform complex calculations in seconds, including multiplication, division, cube roots, and powers—entirely in her mind. She gave live demonstrations across the globe, defeating powerful computers and earning international acclaim. In 1980, she entered the Guinness Book of World Records for correctly multiplying two 13-digit numbers in just 28 seconds at Imperial College, London.
Beyond mathematics, Shakuntala Devi was also a prolific writer. She authored several books on mathematics that made the subject simple and enjoyable for students. Remarkably, she also wrote on social issues. Her book The World of Homosexuals (1977) was one of the earliest works in India to discuss homosexuality openly and compassionately, showing her progressive and courageous thinking.
Shakuntala Devi believed that mathematics was not difficult but misunderstood. She worked tirelessly to remove fear from learning and inspired millions of students, especially girls, to develop confidence in science and numbers.
She passed away on 21 April 2013. Shakuntala Devi is remembered as a symbol of intelligence, confidence, and originality, whose life proved that talent, curiosity, and determination can break all barriers. Her legacy continues to inspire learners around the world. 🧠✨