Obituary: Prof. S. M. Gandhi (1932-2025)

Prof. S. M. Gandhi

Former Head, Department of Mathematics

17 August 1932 – 3 October 2025

Prof. S. M. Gandhi was associated with the college for over 40 years, first as a student, then as a professor in the Department of Mathematics. He was the head of the department for the last six years until he retired in 1992. He had a very unique personality, very witty and sharp. His lectures were always very interesting, never a dull moment to be had. In the early days of his teaching, textbooks were hard to find, and Prof Gandhi was known to share his well-written notes with his students.

It was in the first few months of Junior College that Prof Gandhi addressed us, telling us that he would be taking extra late afternoon sessions for those interested in the art of mathematics. Very few of us decided to attend, but I am sure we all thank our stars that we did! He unraveled the mysteries of rigour and elegance in mathematics through these sessions. The advice he gave was invaluable, like convincing me to stay at St. Xavier’s for Senior College instead of taking up Actuarial Science at Elphinstone college. He also advised me to study economics seriously, which I now regret not heeding at the time.

For the next three years, his rigorous yet humorous lectures made us like and attend all his classes. In mathematics, often coming up with the first line of a solution is key. He would start a solution, solve up to a point, then pause and say “The rest is donkey work – however, when asked, one must show that one is the best donkey”, and then solve the rest of the problem. The habits he inculcated in us have become so innate, that when I took up teaching mathematics after working in a different industry for 30 years, I still recall the good practices he taught us. Prof Gandhi continues to live through us – the numerous students whose lives he has touched. Forever in our hearts and teaching, wishing Sadgati to our beloved professor S. M. Gandhi.

Prof. Shailesh Goregaokar