In the quiet village of Basantpur in Bihar, India, a child was born in 1942 who would one day be regarded as one of the greatest minds the country had ever produced. That child, Vashishtha Narayan Singh, wasn’t just academically gifted—he was a phenomenon. From solving complex mathematical equations in his head to topping India’s toughest academic exams, his life began as an extraordinary success story. But what made his journey unforgettable was not just his rise—but the heartbreaking fall that followed.
A Star is Born: From Village School to World-Class Scholar
Vashishtha’s father, a police constable, could hardly imagine that his son would grow into a global icon of intellect. After schooling at Netarhat, a prestigious residential school in Jharkhand, he earned a BSc and MSc from Patna Science College, where his talent outshone all. In 1964, he topped the UGC’s Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) exam—a feat few could achieve.
Recognizing his extraordinary capabilities, Vashishtha was sent to the University of California, Berkeley. There, under the mentorship of Professor John L. Kelly, he earned his PhD in 1969 and made waves in the international mathematics community. His research was so impactful that some believe he even challenged Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, specifically the formula E = mc², and delved into advanced areas of number theory and algebra.
Global Recognition: The Genius of Genius
During his time in the U.S., he gained the attention of NASA, where reports claim he was invited to work on technical problems related to space missions. His contributions were so remarkable that he earned the informal title of “Genius of Genius” from peers and academicians. His intellect was compared to that of Carl Gauss, one of the greatest mathematicians in history.
Upon returning to India, Singh taught at premier institutions such as IIT Kanpur, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Kolkata, and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai. He was living the life of a scholar and a hero to the youth of India.
The Tragic Turn: A Brilliant Mind in Crisis
But as his career soared, his mental health began to decline. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Singh struggled silently. In 1976, his marriage ended—one of many personal losses he would face. Over the years, he withdrew from public life, eventually disappearing during a train journey, sparking nationwide concern.
When he was finally found years later, he was living in poverty and obscurity, battling illness in his ancestral village—forgotten by the very society that once celebrated him. The government and media took note, and his story sparked conversations about the treatment of mental health in India, especially for gifted individuals.
A Legacy Larger Than Life
Despite the tragedy, Vashishtha Narayan Singh remains a symbol of India’s untapped intellectual potential. His story is one of inspiration, heartbreak, and a powerful reminder of the need for better mental health care and support systems in our country.
He passed away in 2019, but his life continues to inspire generations of students, mathematicians, and dreamers. His journey—from challenging Einstein, working with NASA, to vanishing into oblivion—proves that genius is not just a gift, but also a burden, especially in a world unprepared to nurture it.