Which Indian calculating prodigy was famously known for beating computers in mathematical wizardry and was often called the human computer?

Introduction / Context:
India has produced several world famous figures in mathematics and science. One of them gained international fame not as a research mathematician, but as a lightning fast mental calculator who could perform extremely large calculations faster than early computers, earning the nickname human computer. This question checks whether you can identify that personality.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The person is Indian and known for mathematical wizardry. - She was famous for beating computers in calculation contests. - The options list four names, some of which belong to well known Indian scientists or mathematicians.

Concept / Approach:
Shakuntala Devi was an Indian mental calculator who performed complex arithmetic at astonishing speed. She demonstrated her talent on television shows and in public events across the world, at times producing answers faster than computers of that era. This gave her widespread recognition as the human computer. Raja Ramanna was a nuclear scientist, Rina Panigrahi is not widely known as a calculation prodigy, and Srinivasa Ramanujan was a great theoretical mathematician, not mainly a performing human computer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase beat the computers in mathematical wizardry and human computer nickname. Step 2: Recall that Shakuntala Devi is repeatedly mentioned in general knowledge books as the Indian human computer. Step 3: Note that Raja Ramanna is associated with India nuclear programme and defence research, not with mental calculation feats. Step 4: Recognise that Ramanujam or Srinivasa Ramanujan is one of the greatest pure mathematicians, famous for deep results and formulas, not for stage performances of rapid arithmetic. Step 5: Based on these associations, select Shakuntala Devi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical notes, documentaries and Guinness World Records entries describe Shakuntala Devi mental calculation achievements, including extracting the twenty third root of a large number and multiplying huge integers in seconds. Many school quiz books directly state that Shakuntala Devi is known as the human computer. These sources make it clear that exam questions about beating computers in calculation point to her.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Raja Ramanna was an eminent physicist and key figure in India nuclear tests but is not known for mental arithmetic shows. Rina Panigrahi does not correspond to any widely recognised Indian human computer figure in popular GK. Ramanujam refers to Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose fame comes from his original mathematical theorems rather than from public mental calculation contests.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students see the name Ramanujam and immediately think of mathematics and choose it without reading the full question. However, the question is not about theoretical discoveries but about mental calculation speed. Keeping the distinction clear between performing calculators and research mathematicians helps avoid such confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The Indian who beat computers in mathematical wizardry and was called the human computer is Shakuntala Devi.