Adi Putra oh Adi Putra

I just finished watching a documentary on Channel 4 - about looking for world's smartest kids. The host travels the world to meet Adora Svitak in US, Adi Putra in Malaysia and Ainan Celeste Cawley in Singapore. What triggers me to write here is about Adi Putra. How larger than life he is in terms of the claim on his mathematical prowess.

+ Adi, with much pride, showing off his certs [Source of photo: nizaworld.wordpress.com]

The host goes to meet Adi's "agent", yeah you heard me right. He has an agent. Someone by the name of Prof Fakharuddin of UTM (I am sorry, if I've got the name wrong, but that is secondary). Upon triggered, Prof says "Perhaps Adi is the smartest kid in the world. I think he is!" He goes on to add "He can speak 8 languages; French, German'S', American English, British English, Singapore English" I am gobsmacked. Not only the number doesn't match (is it 6 or 8, Prof?), there is such a thing like a language called Singapore English? That is making complete fool of oneself, let alone it is spurted from a Professor! Oh by the way, the Professor tells the host that Adi has 6th sense. Yes this is getting too interesting to handle.

The host goes on to meet Adi Putra. His "office" is located at one of the shoplots. He has a huge room - imagine a boss's room in one of the Malay dramas. That huge. It helps if you imagine Jalaludin Hassan or Aziz Singah, in suit, as a CEO. So there is so much to be unearthed from this 9-year old.

+ I am sure the Professor is also THE image consultant for Adi Putra. Ouch, it is must be hurting to wear the suit - yes it is damn hot and humid. My advice - go for something like light cotton... or better still, go for something that is... err more for kids! [Source of photo: The Star Online]

Adi shows some mathematical magics on the board, with of course the Professor or the agent in the background. Yes, I can tell his prowess on mathematics. Not bad at all. I am very impressed. Oh by the way, amidst the claim that he can speak three versions of English, Adi Putra doesn't manage to speak English fluently, which leads the program to conclude that the language barrier makes it hard to get a lot out of him. He can speak English alright, but the claim of knowing various versions of English is a bit too much to chew!

Did I tell you that Adi formulates, endorses and promotes brain-food in the form of tablets. Yes you heard me right again! One bottle is blue in colour, and the other one is red. When asked, he says; One is for left brains and the other one is for right brains. OK now, shoot me in the head now, shoot me. I do not deserve to breathe anymore! I am out of breath looking at the host trying hard to digest all these bizarre outflow of idiotic information. Every single word that comes out smells stupidity to the highest degree!

Yes about the tablets or pills. The host goes on to ask "How did you come about to sell these brain foods or tablets. How did you get the idea?" Adi replies "I have a dream AT the middle of night you know, and the next morning I tell my parents to sell the pills", the use of English is intentional, that is how Adi speaks. If you are not flat on the floor now, get someone to stab you 20 times till you fall flat on your face, with blood of course! At this very juncture, I can tell that the host thinks "I have just wasted hundreds of pounds to get here to interview a loonie!"

Finally, picking up from a point by Professor in earlier part of the interview, the host goes on to ask Adi Putra about his 6th sense. Yes again, do expect something really stupid from him. Well the host asks "You have 6th sense, I was informed. What can you tell about the future? Can you tell me what will happen in the stock market?" Adi keeps quiet. Well I am not sure whether stock market is in his vocabulary of 8 languages. And the host rephrases "Can you predict what will happen in the future?"

To which, after hesitating pause, Adi replies "We will die!" (Yes Adi I have news for you - if you keep on giving this kind of response to people, I bet the whole world population would die in shock - upon discovering your overstated intelligence! Don't you dare to do double-act with that Professor - that will bring back the dead!)

The rest, I will leave it to your interpretation to deduce whether this kid really is intelligent or there are irresponsible parties around him manipulating him as marketing vehicle to make money out of his so-called intelligence.

+ The other two kids that are interviewed in the program. I think Adora is scarily intelligent. She seems like an adult who's trapped in 10-year old body. To Ainan, don't worry if you do not make it to the world of intellect, just cross the Tambak Johor, and Yusof Haslam or David Teoh is so ready for a leading part in I-love-you-but-your-rich-family-doesn't-like-me-therefore-I-will-settle-for-some-kampong-chick-instead-but-it-looks-like-you-will-leave-your-wealth-to-be-with-me-herding-some-cows-back-in-Rembau kinda movies for you! Or, you can opt to become a model while aiming high - i.e. becoming a space-tourist! Either way you will do just fine!