Students and parents spellbound by maths wizard

Super 30 founder Anand Kumar’s teaching drew a large crowd on the second day of the Mathematics workshop on Sunday, organised by Deccan Herald- Prajavani in association with Bishop Cotton Boy’s High School and ACE Education Centre.

Anand Kumar, who charted out methods for easy comprehension of complicated mathematical equations at the workshop on Saturday, spoke on Sunday about success and the importance of managing stress in studies.

Speaking about lack of good teachers, he observed that parents are in search of good teachers for their children but they do not want their kids to become teachers. A video where Kumar is seen with actor Amitabh Bachchan, played at the workshop, gained admiration of the students. Amidst applauses from the crowd, Kumar explained that the movie Aarakshan was based on Super 30’s model of coaching.

Students also got the opportunity to interact with him at the end of the session. Numerous questions were posed by students eager to assimilate every word of advice from him.  He narrated his childhood, his life as a student and how he ended up as mathematics teacher while the students cheered him on for more suggestions. Some asked him how to gain more concentration, others wanted to know who inspired him.

Kumar said, to crack exams such as the IIT, one needs to keep reflecting about the concepts incessantly and not just in front of books. If a student is suffering from lack of concentration he/she should try studying other subjects instead of taking a break from studies. He emerged psychologist, guide and teacher, as many poured out difficulties with mathematics in particular and studies in general. He asked them to concentrate on working hard and not to give in to pressure.

Kumar needed no introduction to the gathering. “We’ve heard so much about him. Who would miss a chance of seeing him face to face?” said Savitha, a parent who sat through the workshop. Expectations were high as both students and parents wanted answers to many difficulties in coping with the subject.

“The workshop should have been held at least for a week. It was motivational. We want it more frequently and for a longer period,” said another parent, Narasappa. Most high school students liked the session as they learnt short-cut methods to solve problems. For some pre-university students, the appeal lied in motivation than in methodology. “I did not learn anything particularly new, but the experience was well worth the time spent,” Raghotham, a student of MES College, said.

Many in the audience requested him to come to the City more often and also open an institute so that more students could enrol for tuitions. He promised to upload videos of his classes on Youtube, for everyone’s access. He would also hold a workshop soon for teachers to train them in teaching better. Students can mail him for further queries at [e-mail].