The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A calendar to trap infinite days

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A calendar to trap infinite days

By B. Chandrashekhar

ANANTAPUR, JAN.1. He wanted to be "talked about". He also sought to be different from others. So, Vemula Lakshminarayana of Tadipatri, a small industrial town in Anantapur, took interest in aspects overlooked by most people. The result -- an easy-to-use "perpetual calendar device". He has been on the project for the last 12 years and at last, his hard work has paid off. This 30-year-old is a post-graduate in Telugu literature, but his passion is science and mathematics. Probably, a vocational course in automobile engineering at Intermediate level sparked the quest for new things in Lakshminarayana, the second of six siblings.

Past `n' future

Most of the available calendars give information on the current year. But, the perpetual calendar will give details of any year -- past or future. Many people have developed perpetual calendars and some have even patented them. But, all have some shortcoming or the other.

The "perpetual calendar device with year number'' invented by Lakshminarayana is the most comprehensive till date. He has already applied for patent, claiming seven unique features.

Lakshminarayana's invention can take the form of a wall hanging, be placed on a table and can be printed. It is the only perpetual calendar, which gives same result on both sides.

How it works

One of the models (table-top) has three sheaves of leaves attached to an axis with rings. Leaves of the first sheaf show the century (from 00 to 99), those of second sheaf show the year (from 00 to 99) and the leaves have some indications to choose a particular set of leaves in the third sheaf, which will show all months of a year one by one. The device gives the same result on the backside too. This model will be useful from years 1 AD to 9999 AD. "Its usage can be extended infinitely by adding more leaves to the three sheaves," says Lakshminarayana.

Fund dearth

His first effort, a perpetual calendar with 4000 years, was published a regional newspaper in August 1993. It had some shortcomings and Lakshminarayana has been working on it since then. He has several other ideas on providing the technology at a low price. But, lack of funds has been the major hindrance to his research.

"I can develop cheaper technology for solar water heaters, solar water purifiers and razors," he claims. He can be contacted on his e-mail: vemula_narayana@yahoo.com or at Door No. 16-665 Nandalapadu, Tadipatri - 515 411.

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