The Hindu : Karnataka News : Three students on the verge of a record

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Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
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Karnataka

Three students on the verge of a record

Girish Pattanashetti

They have been solving mathematical problems for two days non-stop

DETERMINED: Praveen A. Anavala, Prajwal L. Sandhyal and Kiran S. Angadi at Vidya Kendra in Dharwad.

DHARWAD: Three students of Dharwad are all set to create a unique record of solving mathematical problems for 100 hours continuously.

On the last day of their record attempt on Tuesday they were still fit to carry on solving the problems despite of two of them having experienced a drop in their blood pressure on Monday.

Praveen A. Anavala, Prajwal L. Sandhyal and Kiran S. Angadi, all from Basel Mission PU College, started solving mathematical problems on Friday at 8 p.m. at Vidya Kendra Tutorial’s classroom.

They have been taking a break of 15 minutes every 12 hours and are on liquid diet since Friday. But this effort has taken a toll on their health also. Prajwal and Praveen had low blood pressure on Monday after having vomited twice a day before. A doctor, Krishna Javali, who examined them, found nothing serious and advised them to drink just sweet lime juice and “ganji”.

“We are solving mathematical problems that are in our curriculum. It will be a sort of practice for us for the coming II PU examination also,” Prajwal Sandhyal told The Hindu about their record attempt.

“Without letting anyone know, we successfully made an attempt of solving problems for 50 hours non-stop. That encouraged us to make this record attempt,” said Praveen Anavala.

“We wanted to achieve something and at the same time we didn’t want to spend our energy on something which wouldn’t be useful to us academically. So we chose to solve problems,” Kiran said.

Initially, when the students approached director of Vidya Kendra M.M. Raju, seeking place where they can make their attempt, he did not take them seriously. However, when they said that they had solved problems for 50 hours non-stop, he agreed.

“It was not something that would be useless for them. Solving problems would certainly help them in their examination. So I agreed,” Mr. Raju said.

To ascertain whether the students were actually solving the problems, Mr. Raju invited some senior lecturers of mathematics from various colleges in Dharwad to watch them for a while.

“In the last three days, lecturers G.M. Patil, Christopher, Vignesh and Prasad came here to watch what the students were doing and then left wishing them luck,” Mr. Raju said.

Since Friday teachers, friends, well-wishers have been visiting Vidya Kendra to encourage them and extend their support.

“Among others, it was our maths teacher Shivanand who encouraged us to attempt this,” told Prajwal.

He did not forget to acknowledge the support, assistance and cooperation from his friends and classmates Subhash Madar, Ishwar Hilli, Mohammed Mustafa Mulla, Chidanand Gali and Vinayak Myakeri who have been staying with them since the last three days.

The students’ parents who have been regularly visiting the venue of the record attempt, although bit concerned about their health, were pleased about their wards’ attempt.

Praveen’s father, Head Constable (CAR) Ashok Anaval said that he was happy that his son was trying to achieve something. “I am not bothered whether he achieves it or not, but at least he has made an attempt,” he said.

But it seems the young boys have the determination to complete what they have started. According to the schedule, the students would complete 100 hours at midnight on Tuesday.

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