A 44-year-old Russian, said to be the world's cleverest man, has turned down a USD 1-million prize (Rs 4.5 crore) for solving one of mathematics' toughest puzzles
A 44-year-old Russian, said to be the world's cleverest man, has turned down a USD 1-million prize (Rs 4.5 crore) for solving one of mathematics' toughest puzzlesDr Grigory Perelman, who lives as a recluse in a cockroach-infested flat in St Petersburg, said through the closed door, "I have all I want."
The prize was given by the US Clay Mathematics Institute for solving the Poincare Conjecture.
Dr Perelman posted his solution on the Internet but failed to turn up to receive his medal from the International mathematical union in Madrid four years ago.
At that time, he'd stated, "I'm not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be on display like an animal in a zoo. That is why I don't want to have everybody looking at me."
His neighbour, Vera Petrovna, said, "I was once in his flat and I was astounded. He only has a table, a stool and a bed with a dirty mattress, which was left by the previous owners -- alcoholics -- who sold the flat to him.
"We are trying to get rid of cockroaches in our block, but they hide in his flat."
