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48 Indian whiz kids take on the world in Abacus
These children are representing India in the Fifth World Social Intellectual and Progressive Abacus competition.
Forty-eight children, each brilliant in his own right, are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, representing India in the Fifth World Social Intellectual and Progressive (SIP) Abacus competition.
This is the first time that an Indian squad comprising of school children aged between six and 12 is representing the country at the international event that started on September 26.
"Till last year we were not ready for an international competition, but we had some national competitions. So, we finished the national competition in July. This is for the first time we are taking part in international competition. So this is going to be a new experience for all the children and the surprising thing is that children are coming even from small towns not just from Chennai," said Dinesh Victor, the director of the SIP Academy.
The competition involves eight rounds in which the children do the calculations through `Abacus', a Greek instrument with beads that also helps to improve concentration besides mathematical calculations.
After some practice, the children learn to calculate at the speed of thought and thus don't need the instrument any more. The participating kids say that they have worked hard to make a mark on the international stage, but not by putting their regular studies on the line.
"My ranks have improved and our instructor has told us to do the maths fast and also to concentrate on the studies," nine-year-old Keshav, one of the kids representing India at the international stage, told reporters.
Parents are no less enthusiastic about their wards mastery over numbers.
"He will do very fast, actually multiplication and division he will do even before you can do it within seconds," said Padma, the mother of one of the selected students.
