UK refugee professor's Fields Medal stolen
Rio de Janeiro, Aug 2: The world's most prestigious maths medal -- the Fields Medal -- was stolen from a British refugee professor just half an hour after he was awarded the prize here.
Caucher Birkar, 40, was one of the four joint winners of the medal -- regarded as the Nobel Prize of mathematics -- who were given the award at the International Congress of Mathematics on Wednesday, the Guardian reported.
Birkar had left the medal in a briefcase with his cellphone and wallet on top of a table in the pavilion where the event was being held. The security team later found the briefcase under a bench but the medal was missing.
Brazilian newspaper "O Globo" has claimed that the thief had already been identified from a security camera footage.
Organisers lamented the theft in a statement: "The organising committee of the International Congress of Mathematics profoundly regrets the disappearance of mathematician Cauchar Birkar's briefcase, which contained the Fields medal he received at this morning's ceremony."
"Images recorded at the event are being analysed. The organising committee is cooperating with local police authorities in their investigation," they said.
The ceremony was held at Riocentro, a convention centre on the western edges of Rio - a city struggling with soaring crime rates.
Birkar was born in Iran and moved to the UK as a refugee two decades ago.
The other three winners of the medal were Indian-origin Stanford University professor Akshay Venkatesh; Alessio Figalli of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and Peter Scholze of the University of Bonn.
The Fields Medal was first awarded in 1936 and since 1950 is presented every four years to up to four mathematicians under 40.
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
