Latest news with #UCMAS
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
He can outsmart a calculator: 13-year-old prodigy rules numbers game
Vadodara: While most teenagers are still learning basic algebra, 13-year-old Ayan Mohsin Vahora from Anand is busy performing complex mental calculations faster than a calculator — and even determining the day of the week for dates from centuries ago. Whether it's memorizing 500 random digits in under 30 minutes or solving intricate equations in seconds, Ayan's brain seems wired for numbers. His extraordinary talent recently earned him the Champion of Champions (COC) title at the 20th UCMAS Mental Maths State-Level Competition held in Gujarat. Competing in the grand level—the most advanced and demanding category — Ayan not only took home the coveted trophy but also won a cash prize of Rs 11,000. "This achievement is a dream come true for us," said Dr Mohsin Vahora, Ayan's father and a veterinary doctor at Amul Dairy. The Universal Concepts in Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) is a global child development programme that uses abacus-based visual arithmetic to enhance cognitive skills in children aged 4 to 13. It sharpens memory, concentration, and logical thinking — alongside improving mathematical ability. "At the state-level competition, the grand level is the toughest category," explained Dr Vahora. "Participants are given just eight minutes to solve a maximum number of problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots — sometimes with up to six-digit numbers and decimals." Ayan's top score in this gruelling challenge earned him the COC title — granted to the highest scorer across the state. But his success doesn't stop there. Ayan has bagged multiple UCMAS titles and participated in several national and international contests. In Dec last year, he competed in an international mental maths championship in New Delhi, featuring 6,000 students from more than 30 countries — where he secured the second runner-up position. Back home, the young prodigy continues to set new challenges for himself. In one recent feat, he multiplied a 50-digit random number by a single digit in under two and a half minutes — all in his head.
Business Standard
30-04-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Grand Prize Distribution And Graduation Ceremony Of UCMAS State Level Competition Concludes Successfully
PNN Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 30: The grand prize distribution and graduation ceremony of the 20th UCMAS State Level Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Competition 2025 was held with great enthusiasm and excitement at Ravindra Natya Grah, R.N.T. Marg, Indore. The energy of the winners and their parents was truly remarkable. Participants and their families started arriving at the venue an hour before the event began. The ceremony commenced at 9:00 AM with the prize distribution, filling the auditorium with the sound of applause. The competition had different levels divided into three age-based groups. In each group, awards were presented in various categories including 'Module Champion,' 'Champion,' 'First Runner-up,' 'Second Runner-up,' 'Third Runner-up,' 'Fourth Runner-up,' 'Fifth Runner-up,' 'Merit,' and 'Consolation'. A total of 35 Champion trophies, 43 First Runner-up, 50 Second Runner-up, 59 Third Runner-up, 66 Fourth Runner-up, and 80 Fifth Runner-up awards were distributed. Additionally, 1,200 students received Merit awards, while all other participants were honored with Consolation awards. Franchise representatives from UCMAS centers across the state attended the event. A dignified graduation ceremony was also held for 350 students who successfully completed their UCMAS course. Students with exceptional performance were awarded titles such as 'Champion of Champions' and 'Module Champions'. The prestigious 'Champion of Champions' title was awarded to Dev Shivani from Shastri Nagar, Ratlam. The 'Module Champion' awards went to Ansh Jain (Housing Board, Bhind), Raksh Upadhyay (Rambagh, Indore), and Deepti Soni (Shastri Nagar, Ratlam) for their outstanding achievements. In addition, 35 students from different groups were honored with Champion trophies and certificates for their exceptional performance. The program was skillfully hosted by Mrs. Amrita Goyal, State Moderator of UCMAS Madhya Pradesh. The guests were welcomed by Master Franchisee Mr. Neeraj Goyal, while the vote of thanks was delivered jointly by Franchise Manager Mrs. Rufiyaa Pathak and Moderator Mrs. Leena Sachdev. The event infused a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm in all participants and attendees.
