When an ex-DRDO employee finds joy in math while shopping

Many colleagues used to ask me how I remembered all of this? My retort was, “These things are so beautiful, how can we forget?”

By Seetha Rama Raju Sanapala

My better half wanted clothes for some occasion. She and I went to the fashion store a few days ago. I accompanied her as per her wish, but I was not interested in any clothes. She talks to the women who sell clothes. When I arrived at the store, my mind was on a math problem. A student from Visakhapatnam sent me this problem. He tried, but not successfully. The problem is a little scary related to the infinite series. Because of pre-decided tasks, I could not focus on the problem immediately. But the problem was still in my head. The student needs to know how to answer.

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My wife was selecting her clothes. But I’m not in it, I was in the problem sent by the student. My mind was thinking hard about the problem. I was doing the problem mentally but a pen and paper are required to solve the problem properly. I told the woman who was selling clothes to my wife that I needed a pen and paper. They gave me an A4 size paper and a pen. I sat down in a corner and began to solve the problem. Good idea struck my mind. I did it accordingly. I required another piece of paper. I hesitantly asked for an additional sheet of paper. The woman handed the paper sheet promptly. After a while, I figured it out. I got the answer. Very happy. The harder the challenge gets, the happier the achievement becomes!

My childhood love of studying did not wane even now at the age of sixty-two. There is no peace until I find the solution to the problem at hand. That’s my nature, my second nature.

My wife finished her purchase. Used a credit card and she paid the bill.

I left the papers on the counter. We thanked her and returned the pen and walked out of the store. We reached home.

The next day I got a phone call. The owner of the shop said, “Sir, you were sitting in our shop and focused on your work while Madam was buying. I have noticed that you worked with concentration and determination. A lot of love, respect and happiness to you. How many people dedicate themselves to work today? It’s all about money everywhere! I decided to save the papers you wrote. I showed it to my son who is preparing for IIT. He liked it very much. He knows the answer to this question. But you have solved it in a better way. The idea and the approach you used is good. My son wants to learn from you. Accept him as your disciple”. I happily agreed.

I like studying a lot. I worship those who have studied and shown good talent and got the best positions. I used to cut and save their pictures published in the newspapers. I had a dream to be like them. After the 9th grade exam, I had a high fever during the summer vacation. I was admitted to the King George Hospital for about 40 days. I was suffering from typhoid fever. The body temperature was normal for some time. And then it got very high again. When the fever is high I used to shiver. A blood test revealed that it was typhoid. The number of white blood cells was low. It was in 1977. Such was my determination to excel that I found time to read my home books, even in the hospital bed.

What’s been the result?

Good marks. I was awarded the National Merit Scholarship. It has continued throughout my education. I’ve worked hard. I got excellent results. My nature was such that even if I had not passed the exam, I would not have become sad at all. Simple food obtained with honesty is tastier than that luxurious food obtained by cheating. Virtue is its own reward. It is our duty and responsibility. The result is only a by-product. The person who believes in hard work never worries, that situation will not come.

I’ve known this since childhood. We can try. The result depends on many factors. Many people try, but it is not possible for everyone to get first place.

Truth is very powerful. We can learn a lot of new things by studying. I have never studied for marks. I’m happy for a good understanding. I don’t do shortcuts and I don’t like remembering anything without understanding. If I didn’t understand something, I would work until I understood it. If I don’t get marks, that is fine for me. Understanding is important. If I went ahead of something that I did not understand for marks, my mind was upset and insecure.

As a child, I used to study even when the guests who came to our house from the village on some work were sitting around me and talking. I did not pay attention to them as I was engrossed in my studies.

I have served in various capacities in DRDO, a multinational organisation and engineering colleges. Occasionally, equations and concepts would come up in our discussions. Many colleagues used to ask me how I remembered all of this? My retort was, “These things are so beautiful, how can we forget?”