Prof. K. C. Sinha with former member of Parliament from Patna Sahib Sri Satrughan Sinha at Patna
Author of 70 books in Mathematics, Former Head of the department of Mathematics and dean faculty of science of Patna University, Former Principal of Patna Science College (arguably Bihar's best college) and former Vice Chancellor of Nalanda Open University, having also served as the acting Vice Chancellor of Patna University, Veer Kunwar Singh University,Jay Prakash University and Magadh University, Prof. K. C. Sinha is considered a living legend. He has won several prestigious awards including the "Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Shiksha Puraskar" (highest state education award), the "Icons of Bihar" award, "Global Excellence Award" and Pioneers of India award by Central Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at New Delhi in August 2024. Prof. Sinha has actively supported the cause of making quality education accessible to the disadvantaged but meritorious sections of the society. He has been a part of initiatives such as the Awasar Trust to train students for JEE free of cost and now a special program of the Education Department of Bihar and Bihar Mathematical Society to train students free of cost at IIT Patna.
For almost 40 years, his books have helped hundreds of thousands of students crack one of the most difficult exams in the world - IIT-JEE and they continue to do so even now. That's not another Several hundreds of thousands of students benefit from his K-12 books in their primary, middle and secondary school every year.Prof. Sinha is known for quality teaching,research and innovation.
Professor Sinha was born on 29 December 1954 in the Bhojpur District. Scarcity of resources during his school and college days could not limit his ambition to reach the top. He says he inherited his fighting spirit from his parents, Late Rewati Raman Prasad and Late Lakshmi Devi.
Top marks in board examinations and a National Merit Scholarship helped him shift to Patna and secure admission at Patna Science College for his Intermediate education. He continued with his B. Sc degree in the same college and M. Sc degree from Patna University and holds the distinction of being a double-gold medalist from Patna University in both his graduation and post-graduation. The road to becoming India's best-selling Mathematics author was not easy. For his first book (Coordinate Geometry), no publisher was willing to risk publishing a book written by a 28-year-old in those days.
Solving complex mathematical problems in simple steps, soon made him the favourite author of students as well as teachers. That multiple publishers continue to line-up to get rights for his next book, showcases his success as an author both academically and commercially. Prof. Sinha has worked with top publishers like Eduwiser, Bharti Bhawan, Students' Friends, Rastogi Publication, JPNP and Kiran Prakashan. He believes that to remain at the top, it is important to adapt with time. He says that today's era belongs to technology and he makes sure he is up-to-date on it. In fact, he has actively supported Eduwiser as an educationist and author to bring quality education to the remotest villages of India, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, J&K, West Bengal and Orissa through the use of technology.
On the same lines, he has also contributed to promoting girl education in Bihar by creating free digital content for NGOs. Prof. Sinha's mission is to make basic education accessible and affordable, especially in the rural areas. His greatest support in this direction has come from his sons - Anurag Chandra, Abbyshek Chandra and Ankit Chandra who are all committed to reform education in India after graduating from prestigious institutions like IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee/ISB Hyderabad and Manipal Institute of Technology). He considers his wife, Mrs. Indu Sinha as the foundation of his success for it was, she who supported him selflessly in his life's journey.
Prof. Sinha is very popular and active on social media. A YouTube video dedicated to him -âMathematical Love story' made by one of his students has become viral and is worth checking out. On Facebook, he has over 116,000 fans who are in direct touch with him. Despite his success, fame and celebrity stature, he leads a very simple life and is an idol for many.
[This article was written with inputs from Mr.Dinesh Anand ]
