N V Tejaswi, is just like any other kid on the block. He likes cricket, his favourites are Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. He listens to classical music (his mother was trained in it), and like any other 18-year-old, he is in love -- with the science of mathematics.

This love affair has got him international recognition, or rather, a gold medal at the 39th International Mathematical Olympiad held at Taipei, Taiwan. The six-member Indian team won three golds and three silvers, and were ranked seventh, India's best at the Olympiad so far.

Tejaswi's father Venkataramanna, Accounts Manager with the State Bank of Mysore, always knew his son had a special gift. ``Even as a three-year-old, he showed an astounding interest in mathematics and would always ask questions. I cleared his doubts then because I was once a mathematics teacher myself. But as hegrew older, the questions became tougher,'' he says.

Tejaswi's early interest was nurtured by his teacher at the Vijaya High School. ``Vidya ma'am helped me enormously. I owe her a lot,'' he says. Nowadays, Tejaswi's questions are directed at scientists in the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and they don't have an easy time handling it either.

He was a topper throughout his school and college years. The principal of his college described him as a brilliant student who took part in all science debates, seminars, and of course, cricket matches. And his friends? They share his interests too. Two were selected for the National Maths Olympiad and two for the Physics Olympiad.

Tejaswi says he didn't require any special preparation for the Olympiad. His college teachers encouraged him to participate. He and 15 others were trained at the IISc, Bangalore, for a week before they sat for the National Olympiad. Out of 600 students (30 each from 20 regional teams), 30 made the international grade. Only sixmade it to Taiwan.

Tejaswi has an elder brother, Harisha, who is doing his MCA at Bangalore University and a little sister, Divyashree, who is in the fifth standard. Do the inevitable comparisons take place? His parents issue an emphatic denial. ``All three are our children, we love them all equally.''

And when this IIT-ian (Tejaswi has joined IIT, Chennai) is asked about his plans for the future, he replies, ``Study math, and more math. Do a Ph D. Bring honour for my country.''