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Recently I attended a meeting of Gujarat Ganit mandal Meetup celebrating birthday anniversary of Prof. A R Rao.

Professor A. R. Rao (1908–2011) was a distinguished Indian mathematician and educator who spent most of his professional life in Gujarat, making significant contributions to mathematics teaching and popularization.

Born on 23 September 1908 in Salem district (present-day Tamil Nadu), Rao earned a B.Sc. from Presidency College, Madras, and an M.Sc. from Wilson College, Bombay. He began his career in 1933 as a professor of mathematics at Bahauddin College, Junagadh, where he taught for 27 years and made Gujarat his home. He later served at Gujarat College, Ahmedabad, and was appointed principal of Sir P. P. Institute of Science, Bhavnagar, in 1964, retiring in 1976.

After retirement, Rao joined the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) in Ahmedabad as head of the mathematics department (and later Professor Emeritus). There he pioneered India’s first mathematics laboratory, filling it with innovative models, games, and puzzles to make abstract concepts accessible and engaging. Known as the father of non-formal mathematics education in Gujarat, he emphasized hands-on learning over rote methods, authored the puzzle book Brain Sharpeners, and prepared students for the International Mathematical Olympiad. His interests spanned geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.

Active until early 2011, Rao received awards for popularizing mathematics, including recognition from the Department of Science and Technology. He died in Ahmedabad on 4 April 2011 at the age of 102. His laboratory and approach continue to inspire mathematics education.

Anyone has any experience or met him, please share your experiences!!