Young brains throw a challenge to computers

KOCHI: It was a rare moment when technology bowed to human intelligence. At the 26th regional abacus competition organised by Brainobrain Kids Academy, schoolchildren gave a close call to computers with their mathematical skills.The students showed their competency by solving a total of 75 mathematical problems within a time span of three minutes. The first two groups solved the problem using the abacus technique while the rest banked on mental calculation to solve the same. Concentration, self-confidence, intelligence, speed, accuracy and discipline were the qualities that were analysed during the abacus competition. The competition conducted for children between the age group of 5 and 14 saw the participation of students from Kerala, Nagercoil and the UAE. A total of 1,500 students, including 100 students from the UAE and 15 from Nagercoil, participated in the event.  DIG M R Ajit Kumar was the chief guest at the programme held at the Panampilly Rotary Balabhavan. Samuel Basil from Abu Dhabi, Abeeth Aikambaran, Gopi Krishnan, Gokul and Anand Raghuram from Dubai, Gokul Krishna and Aditya Rao from Sharjah, Jasim A from Aluva, Jagannath from Cherthala, Vishnu K R from Irinjalakuda, Aravind M from Thiruvananthapuram, Surya Paul from Kozhikode, Shaun B Oommen from Kathrikadavu and Harikrishnan from Palluruthy emerged winners in various groups.