Young achiever

In this cyber age when thousands of individuals, associations and organizations have their own web pages, 20-year-old collegian Firuza Yazdi Aibara has written an impressive book titled HTML for Beginners. For the uninitiated, HTML is the acronym for HyperText Markup Language, which is used to create web pages whose content can comprise textual information, colors, images, sounds, animation and many other attributes, Aibara explains in her preface.

When he was requested to write the foreword, Dr Deepak B. Phatak of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay admits that he was "a little apprehensive” as he ordinarily deals with standard textbooks and research monographs in the field of technical education. However, his interest was aroused when he was informed that the book was written "for students by a student.” After going through the book, he "found that it is ideally suited for beginners and all important aspects of HTML are covered with well chosen illustrative examples. As a teacher, I am happy to see some exercises after each chapter along with the solutions given at the end (of the book)… I would specially like to compliment Firuza for having undertaken to write a book at a very young age, and for having persevered through this onerous task while continuing her studies,” Phatak adds.

Firuza Aibara: impressive book

Aibara, who completed her schooling from Dadar’s J. B. Vachha High School, took a keen interest in computers from a very young age and has completed various courses in web design, development and related subjects, notes the "About the author” blurb on the back cover of the book. A final year student of BSc-IT at D. G. Ruparel College, she intends to pursue a Master’s degree in information technology after her graduation. Aibara reportedly plans to write more books on computer subjects, with help from well-known author Ivan Bayross who provided her with technical guidance while writing her first book. Published in February 2008 by Shroff Publishers and Distributors Private Limited, C-103, TTC Industrial Area, MIDC, Pawane, New Bombay 400705, the 283-page, illustrated and clearly printed book is priced at a reasonable Rs 275. The author can be contacted by e-mail at: aibara_firuza @yahoo.co.in

Aibara’s book was released at the Dadar Parsi Colony’s Mancherji Edalji Joshi Trust’s 28th Festival of Spring held on March 21, 2008 where the IT whiz kid was among the young Zoroastrian achievers who received the Najoo Marazban and Malcolm Palia Award for excellence in academics.