Carlos G. Valles

Carlos G. Valles Biography

Carlos G. Valles, popularly known as Father Valles is a Jesuit priest who spent almost 5 decades in India and gave maximum contributions to Gujarati language and Mathematics. Born and brought up in Spain, he holds the nationality of both India and Spain. In 1978, he was honored with the highest literary award in Gujarati literature named after renowned Gujarati writer Ranjitram Mehta, Ranjitram Suvarna Chandrak for his outstanding contributions to Gujarati literature. He is the only non-Indian to receive this honour.

Carlos was born in Logrono, Spain in the year 1925. He lost his father at the age of 10. When the Spanish Civil War broke out six months later, he had to flee from his home along with his mother and brother. They stayed at his aunt’s home, leaving everything behind. He became a Jesuit novitiate at the age of 15 and was sent to India in 1949 as a missionary. While at India, he continued his studies and completed Master’s in Mathematics in 1953. When he was given the task to teach Mathematics to Gujarati students, he had to learn Gujarati language. He learned Gujarati for two years. He was ordained to the priesthood on 24 April 1958, and he started teaching Mathematics in Ahmedabad in 1960. Same year he published his first book in Gujarati, Sadachar with the help of his mother.

He translated many mathematic concepts to Gujarati language. Suganitam – the first mathematical review in an Indian language was started by him. Apart from it, he made significant contributions on mathematical topics for the Gujarati encyclopedia Gnanganga. He wrote the Gujarati column - Navi Pedhine for the Sunday supplement of daily newspaper, Gujarat Samachar. After retirement, he moved to Madrid with his 90-year old mother.

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Updated: February 27, 2016