It was he who introduced Ramanujan to Sir Francis Spring, the then Chairman of the Port, who made all arrangements for Ramanujan to be taken as scholar by the Madras University. Ramanujan was never sure of himself, and when E. H. Neville, on a lecture trip to Madras, asked Ramanujan about a visit to England to join the University of Cambridge in England, Ramanujan told him that the tradition and customs prevalent in society will not allow him to cross the seas. On the contrary, it was Narayana Iyer who stood by Ramanujan all through and helped him to proceed to England, and even accompanied Ramanujan to Namakkal to get the family deity’s consent and gain confidence, which is part of history. However, by the sincere follow-up by Narayana Iyer and Sir Francis Spring Ramanujan eventually sailed to England and arrived in London on 14 April 1914 and was met by Neville. (With inputs from Sri V. Viswanathan, grandson of Narayana Iyer)

Source: The Hindu December 28, 2020 05:28 UTC