"Human Calculator" Yaashwin showcases mental calculation skills at UTAR

Yaashwin (left) demonstrating his skills to Tun Ling (middle) and Ahmad Ezzat

Yaashwin Sarawanan who was dubbed as “human calculator” after his appearance in the reality talent show “Asia’s Got Talent” paid a visit to UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 29 March 2019.

Yaashwin is a 15-year-old student from SMK Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2 who participated in “Asia’s Got Talent” season 3. His swift calculation wowed the judges of the reality show during the audition and now he will make his final performance in the final round along with other finalists from all around Asia.

Joining him were his parents Sarawanan Murugaiah and Kamalarani Munisamy, his brother Praavin Sarawanan, SMK Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2 Principal Ahmad Ezzat bin Ismail, and SMK Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2 i-THINK Unit Coordinator Nazariah Mohd Nathri. Welcoming the guests were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) Assistant Secretary Lim Guat Yen, and Mind Competitions Mental Calculation Competition Judge West Wong.

Yaashwin having a chat with Tun Ling prior to the press conference (from left): Kamalarani, Praavin, Ahmad Ezzat, Yaashwin, Tun Ling, West Wong

As early as seven years old, he joined abacus and mental arithmetic classes but with zero interest and skills. About three years later, he fell in love with numbers. He made his own decision to join “Asia’s Got Talent” and realized that he made the right decision. He also thanked his parents for his achievement, “My parents gave me a hundred percent support. They did not doubt, reject nor object. I hope they will keep supporting me and I would like to wish them thank you.”

The charismatic young lad who also loves public speaking shared his thoughts on the stigma people have on mathematics, “The main reason why people are weak and not interested in mathematics is because they depend on calculators too much. When I ask my friends a simple mathematics question, they would reach for a calculator. From there I realised that it was not because of their lack of interest in mathematics, but simply because they choose to use calculator most of the time. I believe this can be improved by minimising the use of calculator and increasing the use of mental calculation. I would encourage everyone to start adapting mental calculation as early as seven years old.”

A proud father Sarawanan said Yaashwin is a gift to the family, “He is a very disciplined person. When I go to the school for a parent-teacher meeting, it often ends very quickly with the teacher telling me that I am lucky to have him as my son.”

Proud parents (standing, from left) Kamalarani and Sarawanan with Yaashwin and Tun Ling (seated, far right) during the press conference

Yaashwin also sees himself as entertainer as he enjoys performing in front of audience

Tun Ling was very impressed and proud of the entrepreneur-want-to-be and his achievement. He also agreed on the importance and benefits of having a good mind, and recalled an incident in the past, “Once, I attended a briefing and there was this one person who just sat there and did not take any notes. When someone pointed out that she was being rude by not taking any note, she simply recalled and uttered everything that was mentioned earlier. Instead of being sacked, she was promoted instantly. That is the power of memory.”

In line with his support to Yaashwin’s mental calculation skills, Tun Ling encouraged the public to participate in the upcoming Mind Competitions that will be held in UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 13 April 2019. The competitions consist of three main categories, namely Memory Competition, Mind Mapping Competition and Mental Calculation Competition. The main categories also consist of sub-categories, namely Random Words, Random Numbers, Dates & Events, Random Letters of the Alphabet, Note Making on given topics, Note taking from speech and text, and Mental Calculations (Additions and Multiplications).

There will be a total prize worth RM60,000 to be won by the participants of all ages. The competitions offer different prizes for various categories, including five consolation prizes worth RM100, Best School Prize, Special Prize for Senior Citizens (age 60 and above), and Children (age 9 and below) worth RM500 each for all categories.

For more details and registration on Mind Competitions 2019, please visit the MMLM official website at www.utar.edu.my/mmlm.

A token of appreciation from MMLM presented by Tun Ling (right) to Yaashwin