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Mathematics and Life 29 My journey as a maths teacher 5

                                  My journey as a maths teacher 5


Mathematics is the science of recognising, understanding, appreciating, creating and using patterns in day to day life, business, sciences, work life, technology.


Early influence My father was a medical doctor with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Aai was a housewife or homemaker to use current jargon. My first formal interaction with academics was when Paldhikar Guruji came to our house and made us, my elder brother and myself, write Om on a slate. If I recollect correctly, of 1966, he was the Headmaster of the local Government school. Our entire education, except for 2-3 years in Indore, has been from the Government schools. In Bastar, we even had to clean the classroom and spread taatpatti or mattresses which were rolled up at the end of the day. How many of you have had that experience 😄


My elder brother and myself started schooling on the same day with he going standard 3 directly and myself going standard 1. That time I could never understand why this happened and even had kind of an innocent jealousy. Much later, that difference was levelled up.


Being Doctor saheb’s children was a great status in a small township. I recall, when the LPG gas was an “innovation”, my elder brother went to many homes teaching how to start using the gas burner. In one of the many interesting incidents, I recall playing with a panther cub who was caught and underwent treatment of Dr Mungee uncle who was a veterinary doctor. In another, not so pleasant to recall, incidence I went out adventuring with my friend. We just went on till late noon and then forgot the way back. We started telling each other how dangerous it will be if we do not reach back soon. Suddenly we saw many villagers looking for Doctor saheb's son, of course on Papa asking. All adventure ended with a tight slap by Papa.


What is academic, studying, homework etc we did not know till almost 10th standard when I moved to Indore with my brother. However, reading Dharmyug, that time a very high standard Times of India publication, Parag, another closed publication, Sarita / Mukta, Lotpot, Chacha Choudhary, Amar Chitra Katha, Marathi books, specially related to Maratha Empire spread were part of regular reading. Aai was a very quiet lady, but I can connect in retrospect today that she has had deep influence on my developing the hardcore love and respect for Bharat Mata, Gau Mata, Hindu traditions. We have never been much ritualistic, but have been religious to the core. Even today folding hands with great reverence, Naam smaran or reciting His name is the maximum religious activity I do. Although I do a lot on social media about it.


All in all, a relaxed, expectation free childhood with exposure to the core religious belief, laid foundation of my being what I am today……


I cannot urge young parents enough to let the kid live life. Give them space. They have been “created” / born by you but not for you. Let them recall at 60+ they had a blessed childhood as children and were not born adult or worse still, directly old.

I request the readers to note 7489447223 as my WhatsApp message number. You may please message your name here to connect further.


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