They competed with 27000 kids from 20 Indian states and 183 towns to emerge National Champions
Guwahati, Assam : The City’s 8 years old two boys Madrik Bairagi and Hriyan Kaushik Thakuria studying 3rd Grade at NPS International School excelled at just concluded “India’s Largest Online Abacus Competition—SIP National Prodigy 2021”. And, they emerged as National Champions out of a total of 17 Champions from across India.
To reach this top national position and get this coveted title, they had to compete with 27000 kids of 6 to 12 years drawn from 20 Indian states and 183 towns.
Organised by India’s biggest Skill Development organization, the competition was tough where kids had to solve 200 mathematical sums in just 11 minutes. They had to work faster than the calculator. Those who solved the maximum correct sums became the champions. It had 17 different levels and so we have 17 Champions, explained Dinesh Victor, MD of SIP Academy.
The two boys Madrik Bairagi and Hriyan Kaushik Thakuria study at the same school NPS International in Guwahati city.
Initially, I was afraid, but once settled I was confident, said Madrik. I prepared well for the competition. I practiced regularly and told Hriyan. Both the Champions belong to the same class and friends also. It is rare to become two students of the same school and class becoming National Champions.
We are elated, said their parents Krishna, father Bairagi and Robin and Geetanjali Thakuria.
Bhanu Prakash, the World’s fastest human-computer was the chief guest and announced the winners.
While some big states couldn’t get a single title, Guwahati boys earned two Champion titles for Assam, which is a matter of great pride, said Tarunoda, who facilitated their training.
Surprisingly the majority of the total 17 champions are from smaller towns.
Another interesting feature was two boys from the same family in Pune became National Champions in two different categories. They are Omkar Azad Shirke, and his younger brother Ashish AxadShirke. Both are from Saswad, Pune.
SIP Academy, which has had a presence in Guwahati for a long time runs world-class skill development programs, has been making a significant impact on the mental potential of children. It is also known widely for creating child prodigies with razor-sharp intellects. It holds 5 Limca Book of Records.
The SIP National Prodigy 2021 was the first-ever Online Competition. It has been an offline competition for the past 17 years. But, due to the changed circumstances, it has gone online which helped in wider participation from the length and breadth of the nation. A specially designed software was created that allowed children to take part in the massive competition from the comfort of their home.
Bhanu Prakash, the Chief Guest at the Virtual Winners Announcement Program while addressing the 2000 plus virtual audience said If you love something you can achieve anything.
Participating in an online competition in these difficult times is very appreciable, Bhanu said. And added that especially where children are staying away from classrooms, friends and playing outdoors might have lead to feeling depressed. COVID spared kids so far is not so kind to their minds. Competitions like SIP Prodigy 2021 organized by SIP Academy, keeps children engaged and occupied constructively.
200 million kids in India are very badly affected. But, quite a large number of kids undeterred by the stress, fear, isolation, depression, uncertainty are quick enough to adapt fast, embrace technology, study well from home and now proving their mettle and also excelling said Dinesh Victor, MD of SIP Academy and Champion for skill development in children in India. Children are faster in adapting to changed circumstances than adults, he added.
Each Champion was awarded a Special Trophy and a certificate as is done every year. This year they will be delivered to their residences.
The competition was held in three rounds—01. The Center Level, which had 27000 participants, from which 17000 were shortlisted to qualify for State level, from which 4000 were filtered to compete nationally. Seventeen out of 4000 kids emerged as Champions at the National Finals of the SIP Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition.
