Ritabrata Munshi: L-functions in the theory of numbers
	Chair:  K Srinivas

	Abstract: L-functions were introduced by Dirichlet to study
	the distribution of prime numbers in arithmetic progression.
	Later Riemann extended the definition of these functions
	and chalked down a program to settle the famous problem of Gauss
	- the Prime Number Theorem. The main hypothesis of Riemann
	still remains open. The relevance of L-functions and the
	Riemann hypothesis in modern Mathematics can hardly be undermined.
	The focus of the talk will be to explain the ideas behind
	L-functions and their present status in Number Theory.