The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Mental arithmetic `can remove fear of math'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 22, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Mental arithmetic `can remove fear of math'

By Our Staff Reporter

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu handing over a trophy to a winner in the national-level mental arithmetic competition in Chennai on Sunday. Looking on are (from left), K. Kumaran, CEO, Aloha India, Loh Mun Sung, Founder, Aloha Internation al, Mariam Ram and Renuka, TV personality and Director, Aloha India. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI, NOV. 21. The respect for knowledge-based activities is one of our assets, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, said today.

"Our asset is the respect given to these activities, particularly in South India, where the recognition is highest," Mr. Ram said at the prize distribution function of a national-level competition in mental arithmetic organised by Aloha India in Nandambakkam today.

Stating that the discipline of mathematics was essential, Mr. Ram pointed out that it was a source of fear for many students. "This method of systematic learning (mental arithmetic) is an antidote that can remove fear and nervousness if taken up at a young age."

Mr. Ram said a large number of people in South India loved mathematics. The legendary mathematician, Srinivas Ramanujam, could visualise solutions to mathematical problems better than any other mathematician.

Competitions such as this were not about winning. "It is about the joy of development in progress and above all, removing the fear of arithmetic." Mr. Ram said mental arithmetic should be made more accessible. "The challenge in pursuit of an intellectual activity is to make it accessible to a large number of poor people. If franchisees succeed in promoting this among the poor, there is no limit to what young people can achieve.

"Love mathematics — it will assure you a very bright future."

While congratulating the organisers for conducting the national competition, Loh Mun Sung, founder, Aloha International, exhorted students, parents and his colleagues to attend the world meet to be held in Kuala Lumpur in April next year. "I have a strong feeling that Indian children will not only bring home trophies but also push India to become the world leader in mental arithmetic."

K. Kumaran, CEO, Aloha India, said such contests would help students face competition from around the world. Welcoming the gathering, B. Parameswari, chief moderator, Aloha India, said 1,527 children from all over India had taken part in the competition. Prizes were given to 70 children from the age of five.

For parents, this first "abacus jamboree" helped identify latent talents in their children. Krishnaji Rao, mother of K. Shibani Nalwade, a student of St. Francis Xavier's Girls High School, Bangalore, said she was delighted that her daughter won a prize. "Earlier she used to be very reserved and shy when interacting with others. After she took up mental arithmetic, she has changed a lot," she said.

Shibani, 9, said she had been doing mental arithmetic for the past five months and there had been a tremendous improvement in her academic performance. "I did not like mathematics that much. But now I find it very interesting and have been scoring better marks."

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