Hailing from Hyderabad, Neelkantha Bhanu Prakash has created world record in the fastest mental calculation, breaking the previous record held by Shakuntala Devi. The Mathematics student of Delhi’s St Stephen’s College is a 20-year-old young man who won the first gold medal for India at the Mental Calculation World Championship at Mind Sports Olympiad.
A total of 30 participants from the UK, Germany, UAE, France, Greece and Lebanon took part in The Mind Sport Olympiad, London. Speaking about his skills, Neelkantha said, “I hold four world records and 50 Limca records for being the ‘fastest human calculator’ in the world. My brain calculates quicker than the speed of a calculator. Breaking these records, once held by Math experts like Scott Flansburg and Shakuntala Devi, is a matter of national pride. I have done my bit to place India on the global level of Mathematics,.”
“Three out of every four students who study in the government schools in India have trouble in understanding basic Mathematics. The phobia is the cause for kids opting out of rural schools in India. For any country to develop and thrive globally, numeracy is as important a skill as literacy.”
The Vice president of India M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted appreciation for Neelakantha. “Compliments to Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash for winning the “world’s fastest human calculator” title & clinching the first-ever gold for India in the Mental Calculation World Championship at Mind Sports Olympiad held in London recently. #HumanCalculator.He has done India proud. My best wishes to him for all future endeavours,” Naidu wrote.
Neelakantha was quick to respond and wrote, “Thanks a lot, sir. Looking forward to change the math Education landscape of the country, with the government’s support and make INDIA REGAIN IT’S MATHEMATICAL GLORY. Project Vision Math. Let’s celebrate the Olympic win! #VisionMath#India.”