''Wonderboy from Sikkim'' preparing to study in the US

Gangtok, Sep 10 (UNI) Eleven-year-old Mridul Seth, the youngest Microsoft certified software engineer, is preparing to master the basic fundamentals of computer technology in an effort to make computers affordable for the masses.

Speaking about his future goal here today, Mridul said, ''I want to build cheaper but powerful computers by changing the binary setup of the present computer technology.'' Mridul has been named as the ''Wonderboy from Sikkim'' for his incredible intelligence.

Mridul had already cracked the Microsoft certified software engineering test at the age of eight with several other computer feats to his name.

He evoked encouraging responses from Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and other scientists.

He also successfully passed the Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft 2000 Professional examinations held at Bangalore.

''Once he attains the age of 13 years, we will be sending him to the US to pursue his further studies in computers,'' M K Seth, Mridul's father, said.

He also informed that companies like Microsoft had offered to sponsor Mridul's studies in the US.

''I want to research at the microchip level so that the present source code can be altered. A nanochip should replace the microchip so that all the computer peripherals can be controlled,'' Mridul said adding that it would also replace the motherboard and other hardware thereby making computers smaller and cheaper.

Presently, the 11-year-old computer wiz kid is studying in Standard IX in Coochbehar and is about to complete a three-year 3D animation course in record three months time.

Mridul said he wants to learn all aspects of computer and software applications to develop an all round idea for his future goal.

''My final goal is to make India a leading power in computer hardware and spread computer education in every household,'' he said.

Mr Seth said though he misses his son as a normal eleven-year-old kid, he is proud of the aims of Mridul.

UNI