Probability modelling across the continents

I was born in Calicut, Kerala State, India, and attended high school and (twoyear) intermediate college there. I wanted to study mathematics, but in those days there was supposed to be no future for arts and science graduates, so I applied for admission to an engineering college. As it turned out, I failed to get this admission, and so I joined the Loyola College of Arts and Science, Madras, where I studied for a bachelor's degree (with honours) in mathematics. The programme at this college consisted of courses in pure mathematics (analysis, algebra and geometry) and applied mathematics (statics, dynamics and astronomy); in addition I took two optional papers potential theory and complex analysis. A strong feature of the programme was the interconnection between various branches of mathematics that the instructors stressed constantly. A typical example was the manner in which the proof of the following statement in astronomy: