At a seminar on 'Education System in India' at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, last year, a boy dressed in casuals stepped out of his car and entered the gate. He is stopped by the security personnel: "This event is only for CEOs, you are a college boy.''The boy smiled, picked up his cellphone and soon a whole swarm of organisers arrived at the entrance to usher him in.

But then we really can't blame the security. Even the wisest of men probably wont guess that the 17-year-old Suhas Gopinath can be the CEO and President of a Bangalore-based IT solutions company, Globals Inc. Suhas had actually been invited as one of the speakers at the seminar... "Because of my age and looks, I often land in embarrassing situations and do not know how to handle the confusion,''says a candid Suhas, who is currently juggling is corporate life with a BE in Information Science at the M.S. Ramaiah Institute of I n fo r m a t i o n Technology. He owns a car, bought out of his earnings, but doesn't have a license to drive it around the city as he is too young to get a license! As a CEO, he wraps up mega deals, but cannot sign on the dotted line as legally he is not yet an adult. His is a story of a pastime turning into obsession. As a student at Air Force School in Mathikere, he frequented a cyber cafe near his home. "I was overwhelmed by the world of Internet. It became a passion. Though my parents were completely against it, I would spend hours before the computer. My elder brother Shreyas encouraged a lot. I learnt HTML, ASP and every possible software at the cyber cafe,'' recalls Gopinath. On May 14, 2000, along with friends Clifford Leslie and Vinay M.N, he floated his own website-www.coolhindustani.com. "I did not have the money to start. My parents refused to give my a penny, saying it was not worth it. So I wrote to Network Solutions Inc in the US and they readily agreed,'' he says. Suhas, really had 'IT' in him. In August, the same year, he set up Globals Inc, a web solutions and n e t wor k i n g company, with a team of four. Now, he has 350 employers, offices in 11 countries, and a turnover of $1 million this year. "Initially we offered the services for free. As most of us were studying and were very young to actually run the company, many clients were not keen on us. But after seeing the work we delivered, they were impressed. Lot of them in fact still are very encouraging,''he smiles. At the Bangalore office, there are more than 15 full-time software engineers today. How does he deal with employees elder to him by many years? "Most of the people who work with me are between the age group of 17-19 yrs. I treat them as friends first, than act like a boss. So the job becomes much more easier,'' adds Gopinath. But it's a stressful life, he admits."As I got more interested in the company, my studies went for a toss. In my Class X exams I scored 80 per cent, but in I PUC could barely get 65 per cent. Even here I try and not bunk too many classes, but clients cannot be given lame excuses. When I have exams, I tell them I am unwell...'' he is candid. Success comes with a price and Suhas has understood the importance of it. "At times, I repent that I am not a normal boy, enjoying a teenager's carefree life. Most of the time I am forced to wear blazers and I am always nervous-about work or studies,'' he says. While most others of his age are rolling balls down a bowling alley, he is charting the road map for his company. "We are planning to start management consultancy in the industry sector as well. There are plans to expand our services to non-IT areas by next year,'' explains Suhas. But ask him what's his message for to-be entrepreneurs and he's cautious."I don't think I am mature enough advise others, but if you have it in you, go for it. One should also make time to enjoy other things in life. With work, you get too busy to even repent,'' he adds. TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Suhas Gopinath was born in Bangalore, India. His father, M R Gopinath was a defence scientist, and his mother's name is Kala Gopinath. He originally wanted to be a veterinarian, but he was fascinated by the cyber world and launched a website called CoolHindustan.com at a young age.[1] Some black hats hacked into the website and changed the logo to "CoolPakistan.com", which prompted Gopinath to abandon the project.[2]

He states that Network Solutions invited him to their headquarters and even asked him to maintain their web site, but he declined as he was not interested in serving a US company.[3]

In 2000, at the age of 14 years, Suhas Gopinath founded Globals Inc in San Jose, California, US, as the laws in India did not allow a minor to set up a company. He has been often termed as the world's youngest CEO in the media.[4][5] In 2003, Globals Inc reportedly lost a business deal with SingT Inc, a BPO company in Singapore, because the 17-year-old CEO Suhas Gopinath was too young to sign a memorandum of understanding under the Indian law.[6]. As of 2007, Globals Inc claims to have served more than 200 clients worldwide, with offices in more than 11 countries.[7]

In 2005, Suhas Gopinath was one of the finalists of the Infosys Education World Young Achievers Award.[8]. In 2005, he was also the youngest among the 175 recipients of the Karnataka State Government's Rajyotsava Award.[9] Suhas Gopinath is also a brand ambassador for PETA

2, Suhas's mother Kala Gopinath is worried that he isn't sleeping and eating enough. The shelf behind the family couch contains Suhas's various awards and the Limca Book of Records (the Indian version of the Guinness Book of Records), in which Suhas is listed.



Suhas Gopinath, Youngest CEO

Most of us worry about finishing class assignments on time or who to take to the latest Abhishek Bachchan flick. Suhas Gopinath has bigger things on his mind. Although he wasn’t old enough to drive in some countries or sign legal documents, he took over as CEO of his own multi-national corporation at age 17. Gopinath dreamed of becoming a vet as a kid, but at 14 he became fascinated by the Internet. His interest started with the creation of his own Web page but soon turned to the development of a new company. In 2000, Gopinath started Globals Inc., an IT service company that now boasts 11 offices worldwide, more than 400 employees and profits of more than $1 million a year.

Gopinath’s talents gave him global recognition because he is not only the youngest CEO in the world but also one of the most innovative. He often speaks at conferences to people twice his age (or older!) offering tips on how to run their businesses. Recently, he initiated a programme for other young people interested in business called “Building Entrepreneurship Skills in Youngsters”, which was applauded by the Hon’able President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Gopinath did all this while working on his BE in information science at the MS Ramaiah Institute of Information Technology!

Not only forward-thinking in business, Gopinath has a lot to say about social issues as well. He spoke at a young leaders’ conference last year about the importance of viewing the world as a global community without political borders. Gopinath is just as passionate about animal rights. He recently sat down with petaDishoom to discuss his views on business, animal rights and what young people can do to revolutionise both.

You are the youngest CEO in the world. What has been your motivation?I was very much motivated by the success path of Mr Bill Gates. At the age of 14, I established Globals Inc. with a primary motive to provide a platform to talented youngsters worldwide based on their skill sets and irrespective of their age and academics. Today, when I look back, I feel proud that, as an entrepreneur, I have been able to create job opportunities for more than 600 talented youngsters worldwide.

Why do you think it’s important to support animal protection?As humans, we need to have some morality and ethics to give back to those innocent creatures from which we have taken and exploited for our comforts and needs. [We need] to utilise our intelligence and resources in protecting innocent animals instead of applying the same intelligence to destruct animals.

Are you a vegetarian? If so, why do you think one should be a vegetarian?Yes, I am a born vegetarian. Animals used for their meat are treated and killed brutally; a vegetarian diet is low in fat and high in fibre, which is essential for a healthier and longer life. Why eat meat and fish for a shorter and unhealthier life?

Tigers are endangered because they have been killed for their skins. Elephants are killed for their tusks for ivory. What do you have to say about the illegal trade in exotic-animal products?I feel very upset when humans do business from animals’ skin and bones by trading them illegally. Government needs to take severe action on those who trade animal products illegally and also those who buy such products. When there are no customers to buy such products, the trade of animal products will be drastically reduced. The educated crowd should not encourage such activities.

Why do you think it is important to use synthetic leather as opposed to real leather?There is no point in dressing ourselves in an animal's skin since we wouldn't know the pain caused to the animals by killing them and extracting their skin for usage in leather products. Instead, we can use synthetic leather or other alternatives which are cheaper and better, instead of showing off by wearing natural leather and encouraging the killing of animals indirectly.

Do you see synthetic leather as a lucrative business opportunity?Being an entrepreneur, I very much foresee synthetic leather as a great business opportunity as it has great scope in terms of sales and marketability, with less infrastructure and investment. I advise aspirant young entrepreneurs to strongly consider venturing into the synthetic leather domain.

What role do you think young people can play in spreading awareness about animal rights issues?Youth can play a major role and they can be very instrumental in creating awareness about animal rights issues, since they usually have a strong network of friends through whom the message can spread. The youth generation is hyper active where actions speak before words.

If you saw an animal in distress, what would you do?I would consider providing relief to the animal as my top priority and would immediately provide the necessary treatment myself if possible or would transport it to the nearest animal relief center or veterinary hospital.

What would your message be to young people about protecting animals?Friends, it is our duty and responsibility to protect animals as our past generations have been exploiting animals and have become dependent on animals’ produce. It’s time for us to break this vicious circle and spread the word to protect animals and preserve their natural habitat or our future generations will see a tiger or lion only in calendars and magazines.You don’t have to run a million-dollar company to make a difference for animals. Just stick with us, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest giveaways, promotions, and celebrity interviews

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