BeyondBooks: ‘If you wish to pursue something, you must love it’

Meet Abhiroop Kapoor, a Class XII student from Apeejay School, Noida, who proudly holds the title ‘Computer Wizard’. Passionate about programming, graphic design, and cryptography, he leads his school’s computing club, CODE, to remarkable success, winning 149 individual trophies, six overall titles, and a runner-up award. He is also a published short story writer with strong interests in design, music, and literature. 

In an improptu interview, he shares the skills that earned him the title, among other things.

How does it feel to ‘Computer Wizard’ recognition from your school?

I wasn’t shocked, but I was definitely pleased. My teammates and I, in our school’s tech club, CODE, of which I am the president, have won numerous events across Delhi-NCR, so I was confident that someone from our team would secure the prize. I am honoured to be the one to receive it.  

Tell us about the skills that helped you earn this title.

Having a genuine interest in what you do is essential. If you want to pursue digital imaging, you have to truly love digital imaging; if you want to work in cryptography, you have to love cryptography. It was a mix of hard work and passion, at least, I’d like to believe so. 

Which area of computer learning excites you the most? Why?

Designing and problem-solving, mainly because, as a newcomer, I found these branches more accessible. Over time, they naturally aligned with my interests, although, ironically, I dream of becoming a game developer in the future. 

How have your computer teachers at the school supported and guided you on this journey? 

They supported us in non-technical ways. They encouraged our hard work by always keeping the lab open whenever other members of CODE wanted to work on new projects or develop personal skills. They trusted us to build our abilities independently, but their role as launching pads for inter-school competitions and in handling permissions was extremely crucial to our growth.   

Which software, programming language, or digital tool do you enjoy working with the most?

Since I work in digital imaging, Photoshop is my primary and most preferred application. I regularly use it to experiment, create, and refine my ideas, which has helped me sharpen both my technical and creative skills. A few of my projects are showcased on platforms like Behance and LinkedIn, where I share my work and document my creative journey.  

How do you balance screen time with studies, sports, and other hobbies?

I’d say my screen time is probably higher than average. In Classes X and XI, I found it difficult to balance everything, as my focus often drifted more towards my hobbies than my studies, though I still performed well academically, earning the Scholar Badge three consecutive times. By Class XII, I realised it was better to focus on one task at a time and complete it fully before moving on. This approach has worked well for me so far.

What new skills or technologies are you eager to learn in the future? 

Since I plan to become a game design programmer, anything and everything related to that, like 3D object creation, calibration, and C#, would naturally be at the top of my list.

Your plans.

I wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in India and aim for a master’s in programming-related fields in Sweden. My main inspiration is my brother, as I have never met a harder-working person than him. While my parents constantly encourage my growth, it is setting a benchmark equal to my brother’s achievements that truly drives me to reach higher. 

What role do you think computers play in today’s digital world?

Everyone should go beyond basic computer knowledge and reach an intermediate level, able to fix small glitches and errors independently. Most issues people face can be solved with just a couple of quick Google searches. I also feel the CBSE Computer Science curriculum needs to move from pen-and-paper exam as they don’t effectively measure a student’s true computing skills.