Karnal, September 24
At five years and eight months, Kautilya Pandit talks about world geography, per capita income, gross domestic product, politics, economy, and answers questions on various topics with ease while others his age learn ABC and recite nursery rhymes.

A resident of Kohand village in Gharonda sub-tehsil of Karnal, Kautilya -- who has transformed himself into a “sea of knowledge” in just three months -- draws inspiration from his grandfather who is his “best friend”. “I don’t have friends in my class, my grandfather is my best friend,” says the wonderkid, who came into the limelight after his appearance on TV channels.

With an enviable knowledge of 213 countries, their population, GDP, source of income, currency, religion, culture and heritage, the Class I student has an IQ of 150 -- which psychologists say is the same as that of Albert Einstein.

Kautilya - who has been nicknamed ‘mini encyclopaedia’ - loves science and is very inquisitive and has a question on just about everything. He also writes songs and poetry and is an amazing dancer. Ask him about his ambition and pat comes the reply, “I want to be an IAS officer... no, a scientist... an astronaut...” he says before finally declaring, “I will first study and then decide.”

“His analytical powers are very good and he can leave anyone spellbound,” says Dr Kapil Singhal, a neurologist, who attended a live show with him.

His grandfather, Jai Krishan Sharma, who is always there to answer his queries, says, “A friend in need is a friend indeed and I am his best friend and am always there to answer his endless questions, but we want him to enjoy his childhood as well.”