Bid to make Math glamourous

Must have watched reality shows on dance (Nach Baliye), songs (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) or cookery (Master Chef). Or for that matter, Big Boss or Dus Ka Dum.

Now, maths wizard and founder of Super 30 Anand Kumar has suggested organising reality shows on mathematics which could help generate interests among the children about the subject. And for this, he has sought the help of corporate world. “If this plan fructifies, it will be a fitting tribute to mathematics legend Srinivas Ramanujan on his 125th birth anniversary,” he opined.

“In this modern era, education, too, needs certain innovation to draw children to maths and science. I, therefore, feel we should have reality shows based on brain-teasing sums to generate interest about mathematics among children. We can have a mathematician hosting the show with bright students from across the country. The corporate world too should come forward to contribute to this all-important cause,” he told Deccan Herald, after paying tributes to Ramanujan. He said a series of events had been organised across the globe to mark the 125th birth anniversary of the mathematical genius Ramanujan. “India has declared this year as the ‘Year of mathematics’ as a mark of respect to the great mathematician. American Mathematical Society has organised a special Ramanujan memorial lecture series,” he said.

Lamenting that growing use of computers and calculators from primary school level was also affecting children’s creativity, Anand said: “Technology can make life easy, but it also tends to nip inventiveness. The children must be allowed to explore, instead of encouraging shortcuts.”

Strongly advocating to have a re-look at the present education system, Anand said, “our present education system is perhaps not able to identify and preserve the talent. We remain too engrossed with who qualifies for IIT or other exams and don’t look beyond.”