Profile: Kudsia Shabnam

1. What is your current role as a mathematician?

I am a current housewife who is managing the household. Knowingly or unknowingly I apply my mathematical thinking in daily life, from budgeting, accounting, cooking, measurements, time management and scheduling my work. I play a role of a genius mathematician to keep a balance in my life.

2. What inspired your love for mathematics and the math community?

I think mathematics is a discipline of mind and can thrive anywhere.

Let me share a story with you from when I was in school - I hated maths for 2 reasons:

• I didn’t like my maths teacher

• I never understood the concepts

Why - because I was always an outstanding child in my math class, not in terms of being clever but always 'standing outside' the class!

Both my teacher and I had the mutual feeling for each other. As the years passed by, I saw my grades coming down, where from a studious child, I became an average child who was looked down on. I no longer received the opportunities to participate in any competition or events. This troubled me and that night I thought that I harmed myself- for one person cannot be writing my destiny. I am a fighter and I want to see my self competing. I will no longer stand outside of the class but I will stand out in the crowd. In our times there were no computers so I took help from my class fellows and started to work hard for it.

Today the Math Community has made tremendous achievements. It has brought easy math learning styles for all individuals through mediums such as You Tube. Competitions such as Olympiads in schools give a fair chance to everyone and there are innumerable games which you can play to sharpen your mathematical skills.

Cultural expectations about what a housewife can do is a burden but a mathematic community offers autonomy, respect and identity outside of care giving. The beauty of math is that it does not care where you started – only where you are willing to go.

3. What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the happiness I feel when I solve problems and discover new ways to apply it in my day to day life. It makes me proud that I am upgrading myself and I sense a good bonding with my family through learning something new. It gives me mental independence.

4. What are some common misconceptions about mathematics you’d like to challenge?

I would like to change this misconception- 'Maths is not useful in daily life' because maths is everywhere! Improving your math skills will help you in reasoning and build your confidence. It is not just a calculation but it is full of beauty, creativity and great ideas.

5. What defines you beyond maths?

I am passionate about travelling and I am a big foodie. I want to learn the history of the places I visit, their culture and about their food.

6. Do you have any role models or favorite quotes that inspire you?

My role model is Shakunthala Devi popularly known as the Human Computer.  The quote which inspired me a lot was written by Archimedes and it said - 'Mathematics reveals its secret only to those who approach it with pure love, for its own beauty'.