love like the first sunlight

The Great Indian Maths Fetish

( real story with a bit of humor)

As a boy at school, I used to be terrible at Maths. And my Dad's favorite one was Maths. He used to say ."Mathematics is the Queen of all subjects. " He was very concerned about my Maths Score. He wanted me to get 50/ 50.

So after a particular term exam in 7th grade or so.(It was a pattern that happened all mid and high school.).
My father was waiting for me before the school gate to take me home. He asked me " How was the maths exam ?" I said." It was good". Then he asked " Would you get centum (50/50 ). I said. "I might."
You should have seen the happiness on his face, poor man.

After a few days, I would tell him "Papa, I might have got a few sums wrong " . Then he would say " How much you would miss". And I would say " should get 45 or worst case 40" ." Hmmm, it isn't too bad" he would say with a heavy sigh.

After 2 more days " Papa, I went through the question paper I am afraid I might have missed a few more". He would be scratching his head and sounding a touch upset ." How much ". And I would reply with false remorse " should get 30". He would be sad by now.

After two more days " I just remembered I might have made a small miscalculation in more sum and might lose a few more marks "

Then he would exclaim " Will you pass" and I would rather dramatically say " Of course. How could you....".

Then the poor man would apologize. And I would be like "That's ok"

The day after I get my result papers.I would write a note and say " Papa I am extremely sorry the valuation was so strict and I had made a minor mistake and instead of taking it in a right way the teacher cut off few marks. Though my performance was good and preparation perfect I somehow FAILED. please don't be upset I promise next time I will get 50/50. I need you to sign the answer sheet when you are OK."

I would have gone hiding somewhere and when I return after a few hours. The answer sheet would have been signed.

This repeated all mid and high school. ( luckily I somehow used to get through final exams with a lot of Our Fathers and Hail Marys ).But I bluffed him consistently. I knew it all the way.

But that Man still believed in me.

The grilling marriage interview - Maths is important

Some years ago ( I was 27 ) I together with my Mom went to see a girl at her home, for an arranged marriage proposal. Her parents were present. The girl's Dad seemed to be a tough man. After asking many questions, he finally asked me "How many marks did you get in your Secondary School (Class 10 ) exam for Mathematics.?"
I replied " 35/50". To which he said ."Mmm, Just average ".
Later that night,.I came to know our proposal was rejected. There might have been many reasons, but Maths was surely one reason. Any young student reading this, study Maths hard, it is always important.