Hrithik Roshan's dedication makes him the perfect choice for 'Super 30' film: Anand Kumar

There is something very unassuming about Anand Kumar. The mathematician, who through his Super 30 classes has transformed lives of many underprivileged kids over the years, wears success lightly on his shoulder. Kumar, whose students crack IIT every year, states that he finds immense happiness transforming and inspiring children from the lower strata of the society and while he has had the option to take up a cushioned job and lead a life of luxury, the mathematician states that teaching remains his first love and he would not give it up for anything.

His beginnings were humble. Always the bright student in the class, Kumar taught neighbour's kids and even classmates from an early age. Son a postal clerk, raised in Patna, Bihar, Anand got through prestigious Cambridge University but could not attend it as he did not have sufficient funds and the untimely death of his father.

Anand studied mathematics and helped his mother with her business at night. In 1992, he started the Ramanujan School of Mathematics - a tutorial that taught children maths. The tuition centre started thriving within a short span of time, but Anand wanted to do something for those kids who may have had the potential to make it to top universities- like him, but was unable to due to lack of guidance and funds. In 2002, he conducted a screening exam to select 30 students belonging to lower-income group families, for his Super 30 programme. The programme now in its 15th year trains students for IIT-JEE exams. Kumar's success rate is extremely high, and most of his students make it to one of the top colleges in the country each year.

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In Delhi for a visit, WION caught up with this genius and spoke about Super 30, his inspirations, the Indian education system and why Hrithik Roshan is a perfect choice for the lead role.

Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Q: Do you feel there is a need to change the Indian education system?

A: Yes, definitely there is a need for a change. The biggest flaw of the current system is that it doesn't teach children how to question. Kids are taught to memorize the answers, they are not giving practical knowledge. They need to be taught how the lessons can be used in their daily lives. They should be taught the 'how and why' of mathematical formulas.

Q: What is Super 30 all about? How did it start?

A: There are so many kids who belong to poor families in our society. I got an offer from Cambridge University but due to a financial crisis, I couldn't go. I've always felt the pain of poverty and that's why I decided to start Super 30 for underprivileged students. A child had approached me back in 2000 to help him prepare for IIT-Jee exams. He belonged to a poor family and couldn't afford the expensive coaching classes that were available in Patna. That motivated me to start Super 30 classes.

Q: How does one get enrolled in the Super 30 programme?

A: We conduct entrance tests every year in April, for this programme. One can go to our website Super30.org to know about the exam centres and we select students on the basis of their performance in the entrance test.

Q: You do not take any donations for Super 30? How does the programme get funded?

A: Yes, a lot of people did offer me financial help for Super 30 but I did not accept any of it. We want to show the world that we could generate funds on our own. We generate money ourselves. We conduct evening tutorials for those students who are from a good economic background. The money they pay for the classes is used for Super 30 classes and also helps me run my home.

Q: Tell us about some of the students who have benefitted from Super 30 classes

A: There are several stories that are worth mentioning. A boy called Anup, who belonged to a very poor family, came for Super 30 classes. His family was so poor that they couldn't even afford their daily meals properly. One night his father left their home in order to get some food but never returned. The mother has raised her son on her own. Her only advice to her son was that only education can change one's fortune. They came to Patna after the boy passed his 10th exam and happened to meet us. When I enquired where they were staying in Patna, they said they were spending the nights at the Railway station. The boy was included in our Super 30 classes eventually. He went to IIT Bombay to do his engineering. His first job was in Dubai and now he owns a Software company in Bombay. Anup is just one of the many such students who come to us.

Q: Did you ever feel that you should leave teaching and settle for a more high-paying corporate job?

A: Teaching is my passion. I find immense happiness in interacting with children. When I go to New York to deliver lecture at universities, I get to meet my students. Some of them who belonged to really poor families and are now settled in New York. They are always warm and welcoming towards me. It gives me immense happiness to see their success.

Q: When did you realise that you want to become a teacher?

A: I was in 6th standard when our immediate neighbour approached me to teach their daughter maths. She was in the fourth standard and the family was well to do. On the first day, the girl addressed me as 'Sir'. It felt so good that someone was calling me 'Sir'. I taught her younger brother as well later. So that's how the interest in teaching began. I used to teach Maths to my classmates in school.

Q: Who inspires you the most?

A: My teachers have inspired me the most. Dr DP Verma, Mohammad Sahabuddin, Dr Balgangadhar Prasad and even my father, who is not there anymore, inspired me and motivated me to do better in life.

Q: A film is being made on your life. Were you apprehensive that now people will get to know every little detail about you?

A: I think Super 30, the film is shaping up really well. It will inspire students to excel despite the odds. It beautifully shows how one can overcome problems if one has the determination to achieve things.

Q: Hrithik Roshan plays you in the film. Do you feel he is the perfect choice for the role?

A: There were a lot of actors who could have played the role well but Hrithik Roshan's dedication towards the script and his role was unmatched. He is very hardworking. Which is why he was perfect for the role.

Q: Any message for those who do not make it to IIT?

A: Every child is gifted. Every child has the potential to excel in a certain field. There are a lot of kids in Super 30 who may be preparing for IIT but are also gifted painters, musicians. So it is important for our society to train children and nurture talents.

Q: You have achieved so much in life, yet your father, whoinspired you so much isn't there to see it. Do you miss him?
A: Yes, a lot. A lot of life lessons were taught by him and now that I have achieved things, he isn't there to see it. His absence is irreplaceable.