National Mathematics Day: Super 30 founder moots reality show on mathematics

A reality show based on brain teasing sums to regenerate interest among youngsters towards mathematics was mooted by Super 30 founder Anand Kumar on Monday.

"But it should not be like other reality shows. It should be by a competent mathematician for the target audience, which can be huge as mathematics touches lives in innumerable ways," Kumar told a function held on the 127th birth anniversary of mathematics legend Srinivasa Ramajuan held by Super 30 Ramanujam School of Mathematics.

"It (the show) should be made enjoyable as well as informative - the best way to take the great mathematician's (Ramanujan's) legacy forward," he added. He maintained that India has traditionally been good in mathematics and said it was important to realise why the country frittered away the advantage and how things could be changed by developing logical reasoning.

"For that to happen, India needs good teachers. There should be a concerted effort for developing quality teachers by building an encouraging atmosphere, which could enable India to produce a winner of Field Medal," he added.

Stating that mathematics is linked to nature, Kumar himself demonstrated to the students how a concept could be used to solve different mathematical problems of any kind - be it of algebra, trigonometry or geometry.

He also dissuaded students from rote learning without understanding. Kumar's Super 30 facilitates students from poor background to crack IIT entrance examinations and has won laurel across the world. He was recently called to deliver inspirational lecture at MIT and Harvard University.