NEW DELHI: "I want to become junior Bill Gates and the second Michael Jackson." It is no child fantasy for 12-year-old Priyanshu Roy, who is already the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Microsoft Certified Internet (MCP+I) and system engineer (MCSE) in the country.

He is also the youngest classical guitarist in the world, set to compose his own raga and has already edited a book of poems.

When Priyanshu's sixth class final exams were going on, he cleared the MCP within 15 days to set a new record. He followed this by doing his (MCSE) in three months.

Priyanshu is also the youngest CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA) in the world and has passed the fifth year sr. Diploma in instrument music from Allahabad. He is also a diploma holder in vocal music and has edited a book of poems Hamari Tehran Kavitain - Kargil Hamara Hai, besides performing on numerous television shows.

"I manage my time properly and therefore I have time for all the activities that I want to do," says Priyanshu, who has got double promotions and is now in the ninth standard.

"It is all god's gift and due to the support of my parents who recognised my talent and gave me the encouragement to pursue my interests," says the prodigy in Delhi's Apeejay School, Saket.

Priyanshu's father Pravin Kumar is an engineer with DDA and his mother Asha Mutreja is a teacher.

"Everything about the computers excites me especially browsing the Internet and learning new skills on the machine," says the computer whizkid who has his own website now cuite-commerce.com.

But how does it feel to be the centre of attention and that too at such a young age?

"It feels good as you can meet so many important people who tell you interesting things," says Priyanshu.

It is no surprise that the talented youngster is also involved in synthesising music with the help of the computer. "I want to use the modern technology to create a ragaa called the Ragaa PEELII on Mohan Veena. Here PEELII stands for Peace, Education, Environment, Love, Integrity and Independence," he says.

But is there something he dislikes?

"Powercuts," he says immediately. "We have them two or three times a day and they don't allow me to work on my computer," says Priyanshu who has not lost his innocence inspite of his innumerable achievements and the accolades he has received.

"I also want to change the education system in my country," he says emphatically. "I want to take my tenth standard examination, but I am not being allowed to because I am underage. In other countries there is no such restriction and I want this restriction to be removed in India too."

Priyanshu's parents are seeking the permission of the authorities for him to appear in the examination. "He has received offers from outside but we want him to complete his initial education in the country itself," says Asha.

"I like Michael Jackson because he is an amazing performer and Bill Gates for his innovative mind and contribution to information and technology. And I want to be like both of them," says Priyanshu.

But isn't it a strange combination? "Yes, but then it is also the best," points the young achiever. (PTI)

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