Wizard at mathematics

Whenever I go to the market to buy vegetables or groceries, I am always amazed at the speed at which the vegetable vendors, even if they are ten to twelve years old, do the calculations. It really matches the speed of a modern day calculator. Even I find myself unable to do quick, mental calculation. I would feel terribly embarrassed and wonder, quot;What use is my Ph.D. degree if I can not calculate the total cost of say, a quarter kilo of tomatoes, half kilo onions, pumpkin and a bunch of coriander leaves.quot;

Whenever I had doubts about the vegetable vendor, I take out a small pad and pen which I always carry from my purse and calculate like a small child. I feel that though these illiterate or semi illiterate businessmen have no higher degree to their credit, they have the experience that we degree holders do not have. I always feel that though degrees are essential to a certain extent but we also learn so many things in life through experience and that knowledge thus gained is a practical knowledge.

Half a century ago my grand parents had to learn the tables of of pauna three-fourth, savai one and a quarter, deodhas one anda half. Even today, these tables are still there in their memories and they can calculate immediately whenever there is need but we cannot.

During my visit to USA, I found that American children have access to calculators and computers, but because of this, they are poor in mathematics. In our country all of us do not have costly electronic machines but we have experience, tradition and practical knowledge which also counts and helps us in many ways.