Two young eight year old boys from Guwahati, 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”. 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.
“Initially, I was afraid, but once settled I was confident. I prepared well for the competition. I practiced regularly and told Hriyan to do so as well,” said Madrik Bairagi. Both the Champions belong to the same class and are good friends. It is rare that two students of the same school and class became National Champions.
“We are elated”, said their parents, Krishna, father of Madrik Bairagi and Robin and Geetanjali Thakuria. “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.
SIP Prodigy is a day-long event for the children of age 5 to 12 organized by SIP Academy, one of India’s biggest skill development organization. Every year, Regional & State level competitions are organized across 12 locations with a cumulative participation of about 12,000 children & around 20,000 parents.
SIP Academy runs world class skill development programs that make a significant impact on the mental potential of children. The company has its headquarters in Chennai and has a presence in 19 states in the country.
“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.
Surprisingly the majority of the total 17 champions are from smaller towns. Moreover two boys from the same family in Pune, Omkar Azad Shirke and his young brother, Ashish Azad Shirke emerged National Champions in two different categories. 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 World’s fastest human-computer was the Chief Guest at the Virtual Winners Announcement Program and announced the winners. While addressing the 2000 plus virtual audience he said, “If you love something you can achieve anything.” He also added, “Participating in an online competition in these difficult times is very appreciable. Children staying away from classrooms, friends and playing outdoors might lead to depression. 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, at 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.
