Age: Five
Claim to fame: The youngest 'Software Kid'/ Web designer in the world, at age three, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and the Limca Book of Records.
Ajay, who lives in Thailand, adeptly creates full-featured sites with hyperlinks, thumbnails, background music, frames, DHTML and forms. He started using the computer when he was a year old. At eighteen months, he surprised his parents by sending his grandfather email. Since then, he's mastered a range of Microsoft Office products and can also scan pictures, voice chat and record video mail.
After the September 11 tragedy, Ajay created a Flash version of the scene of planes crashing into the twin towers. Sorting data lists, creating sub-totals, PowerPoint presentations with animations and sound, are some of his other talents. He's also familiar with routine computer maintenance.
Ajay already met the likes of Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, Sonia Gandhi, KR Narayanan, Ratan Tata, Rahul Bajaj, Chandrababu Naidu and Bobby Deol, to name a few. And while most kids his age are attending birthday parties, he attends tech summits the world over.
He's been granted free Web hosting by Loxinfo Thailand. IBM Thailand has gifted him a laptop computer, which he loves as it allows him to design sites even in bed.
But what thrills him the most is: "I met Mr Clinton before my grandfather met him!"
Career goal: To be the future Bill Gates.
Proudest moment: "When I recently cleared my MOUS (Microsoft Office User Specialist) exam. My parents and grandfather had worked hard to teach me and when I passed it, I loved seeing the smiles on their faces. Earlier, it was when I had launched my own site microsoftkid.com."
Other special moments: When Bill Clinton said "He appears to be the future Bill Gates of India".
Also, when he received a book, Business at the Speed of Thought, from Bill Gates, with this message on it.
What's more, he's even snoozed in Chelsea Clinton's lap!
Inspiration: "When I was very small my papa told me that if I work hard, I can get whatever I want. I learnt what he taught me and got whatever I wanted. Working hard became my habit."
Ajay's sense of gratification: "I love to see my grandparents feel proud of me."
Why computers?: "The computer was in my bedroom and I started playing with it. My parents then taught me to make good use of it."
Role model: Bill Gates, Amitabh Bachchan and recently, Bhagat Singh (after seeing three movies on him).
Career goals: "I'm too young to think about it now. I want to enjoy my time with my family and friends and help the poor and disabled people in whatever way I can."
Web sites developed: Microsoft Kid
Message to readers: "The computer is not a difficult tool. I use it everyday. Why can't you? Age is not a factor.
Believe in God and have confidence in yourself. Nothing is impossible if your hard work is backed by blessings and good wishes."
Age: Eight
Claim to fame: Developed a site, cyberharddisk.com, without any formal training at age eight. Claimed a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'Youngest Web master' in the world.
"Since I was five I'd watch my dad working on the PC. Whenever he was not engaged, I'd try out something on FrontPage, PhotoImpact, Dreamweaver and Macromedia Flash," says the boy who hails from Kerala, but is presently based in Abu-Dhabi.
"When I developed a Web page, my dad didn't believe me until he actually saw it. Then he told me to develop a site according to the theme he gave me." This resulted in the making of cyberharddisk.com.
However, devoting so much time online hasn't stopped him from watching cartoons, playing games (not PC games) and doing his homework.
From the Indian government he gets "Nothing special so far except for a letter of appreciation from the IT & Industries minister of Kerala".
Thahzeeb thinks portals like Rediff.com, Ciol.com and Sify.com are increasing Internet awareness in India.
Inspiration: "My father. His constant encouragement and guidance gave me inspiration."
Career goal: "I want to be a software engineer. Now I'm learning Visual Basic leading to MCP+I. I'm planning to go for MCDBA too. I don't attend any computer-training centre. My dad bought VB's training CD just last week. As an early starter, I feel confident that I can contribute considerably to future development of the Internet revolution."
Why computers?: "I find computer software interesting and I chose this field because of my dad's encouragement."
Proudest moments: "When TV crews interview me and I see myself on the news."
Role model: "The ultimate computer genius Bill Gates who has brought computer acceptability this far."
Websites developed: cyberharddisk.com and Chinku's Web site. Thahzeeb and his younger brother are jointly developing another site, letmousewalk.com.
Message to readers: "Hard work and personal goal setting will lead you to success. Walking on the moon and climbing Mt Everest were considered impossible. I believe anything is possible."
Age: 10
Claim to fame: Youngest girl in India (at age nine) to create her own site sruthipai.net. It was conceived and designed in just three months, without any assistance: "Dad said I had to do everything without external help. I bought server space with the pocket money (Rs 1500) I'd saved in the past five years!"