A new generation of mathematicians is taking centre stage on the world of Mathematics. This was clearly visible when the top global mathematics awards were given away at the 9-day International Congress of Mathematicians that began in Hyderabad yesterday. All of these awards were for solving mathematical problems that had eluded solution for at least a decade and most of them are from younger generation mathematicians.The International Mathematicians Union is holding the biggest mathematics event of the world for the first time in India and third time in Asia in its more than 100 years of history. More than 200 mathematicians are presenting research talks during the Congress. Seminars, discussions and conferences are being organised to deliberate on 20 areas of mathematics including logic and foundations, algebra, number theory, functional analysis and applications and mathematics education and popularization of mathematics will be deliberated upon during the next 9 days. Inaugurating the International Congress of Mathematicians being held for the first time in India, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has yesterday stressed the need to promote studies of mathematics among the young generation. Stating that no technology would be produced without a high level of mathematical precision in future, she said there was a need for understanding mathematics in all walks of life as the influence of mathematics in the social sciences is also growing enormously.Adding that Mathematics stands at the helm of all sciences, she said the aesthetic component of mathematics would inculcate the habit of rational thought and scientific temper. She said the country recognized the importance of science as a vehicle for progress since independence and mathematics and its advancement was an integral part of India's science policy.She recalled the contributions made to the advancements of mathematics by eminent Indians since ages. Before leaving for Delhi, she has asked the mathematicians to watch the ‘a disappearing number’ a play being staged tomorrow on the sidelines of the Congress. Over 3000 delegates from 75 courtiers are taking part in the Congress.Of the prestigious Field Medal winners, all are under 40 years, Lindenstrauss works on dynamical systems, converging them with number theory while Villani analyses entropy (disorder) changes in gases and plasma. Smirnov digs into complex dynamic systems like cloud formations and Ngt Bao Chau, a child of the Vietnam War, proved the Fundamental Lemma, rated as one of the top ten scientific discoveries.Computer scientist Daniel Spielman, winner of the Nevanlinna prize, has developed error correcting codes – an integral part of sophisticated data storage devices like CD-ROMs and cell phones. Yves Myer has developed the mathematics of complex tilings, like the ones found in Islamic monuments in Uzbekistan, Iran and India. These belong to the larger category of Mandelbrot sets formations where each small bit is the same as the larger whole.