Indian kids more especially from AP emerge as Mathematics wizards at the just concluded most prestigious global event on mental arithmetics at Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Vie against thousand kids from eight countries across Asian and European Continents and bring laurels

Hyderabad, December 09.... State kids are in the forefront of a leading mental arithmetic revolution at the just concluded biggest ever international competition on mental arithmetic held at Colombo in Sri Lanka. 15 member contingent out of 100 strong Indian delegation that represented India vied with thousand and odd kids from Asian and European continents like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, Oman, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, India and UK, and sweeped the awards at all the eight levels of the competition of the 7th International Competition on Abacus and Mental Arithmetic. With their unusual mental arithmetic prowess they out beat their foreign counterparts by showcasing lighting fast computing skills by attempting 125 to 180 mathematical sums in just under '5 minutes', which qualifies for a record feat by any standard.

It's a matter of great pride that kids from our state have shown remarkable skills leaving their peers from other countries way behind. Baby M. Sriveda Reddy, a 2nd level student from Nizamabad emerged as the Champion in her category. Master Naman Agarwal from Hyderabad stood fourth in 8th level. He is the youngest boy of the whole lot of kids who competed in 8th level from all the countries. The state now has become a home to the budding intelligentsia and are home to some child prodigies, remarked Mr. J. Sampath Kumar, Area Partner of SIP Academy, Andhra Pradesh.

When the compere at the event announced Sriveda Reddy's name as the Champion, her mother, screamed, shouted in joy and ran all over the Sugadadasa National Sports Complex where the competition was held. And hugged her child to breathlessness the moment she came down from stage with the trophy. Seldom you expect 1000 and odd international people to hear of a small non-descript town like Nizamabad in Andhra Pradesh, where Sriveda Reddy comes from. Suddenly many lesser known towns and small villages in India like Hoskote, Ranebennur, Kolar in Karnataka; Vadalur in Tamil Nadu; Nizamabad, Hyderabad and Zaheerabad in Andhra Pradesh were in news for the achievements of the young kids of those respective cities.

Indians prowess in mathematical skills is once again proven in an International forum. And me being a part of it gives me immense satisfaction, says Mr. Sampath.

In a high scoring test of accuracy and speed of computation of numerical problems, 9 of the Championship awards out of the total of 11 categories were bagged by the Indian prodigies. In fact, the Indian contingent bagged 31 of the 53 prizes in the International Championship.

There couldn't have been a better occasion than this, as every child representing India from the State of Andhra Pradesh walked away with trophies and earned acclamation from everybody including Mr. R. M. Srivastava, First Secretary (Eduction), High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. He graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and Mr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister for Education, Govt. of Sri Lanka.

The kids from Andhra Pradesh who took part in the competition include M. Sriveda Reddy, P. Ravi Chandra, S. Shabharish, T. Shalini, P.V. Anudeep, D. Shonith, P. Balraj, P. Samaresh, S. Srija, G. Rakshith Reddy, A.N. Spurthi Reddy, Namya Gupta, Naman Agarwal, Pravek Trivedi.

Impressed by the little champs Mr. R.M. Srivastava, First Secretary (Education) of High Commission of India in Sri Lanka as rare gesture and encouragement visited along with his wife the hotel where the kids from Andhra Pradesh were put up and spent time with them, posed for photos and lauded their performance.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Mr. R.M. Srivastava said that Mathematics give confidence, clarity. Two plus two is four or five multiplied by ten is fifty. There is no ambiguity or uncertainty about. It is nice seeking young Indian tiny tots of 6 to 12 years shining in an international competition being in a different country. These children are undeterred, even unaccompanied by their parents here, he said. He wished them all the very best in their future endeavours.

"What I did not like about my trip to Sri Lanka was coming back", says prodigial Sriveda Reddy when asked about her trip. But she doesn't have any idea of her future. But she wants to grab every opportunity thrown open to her in future. However, Master Anudeep from Nizamabad is serious about his talent and wants to pursue it to greater heights.

The Andhra Pradesh team was lead by Mr. J. Sampath Kumar, Area Partner of SIP Academy India, Andhra Pradesh and Ms. Sunanda. The contest was held on December 2 at Colombo in Sri Lanka. The kids have arrived in city just now after touring places in Sri Lanka like Colombo, Candy and others.

Children performing acrobatics resembling monkey tricks in the playground has always been a familiar sight down the ages, no matter which part of the globe they may be in. But for today's next generation, it's acrobatics of another kind that's keeping them limbered up and ready to take on any challenge life may throw at them. Today, it's mental acrobatics that is taking up free time for many children around the world. The increasingly popular Abacus+Brain Gym programme is turning the state's children into Mathematics wizards.

Issued for and on behalf of SIP Academy India by: D.Ramchandram, Solus Media, Mobile: 98480-42020

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