The 28-year-old is heading Microsoft's further forays into the Internet as the world's largest software maker braces for the challenge posed by America Online's recent acquisition of Netscape.

Bhatia said his brief now was to scout for investment opportunities and acquisitions for Microsoft in the key area of the Internet. "I have a lot of expertise in understanding new technologies and on how to shape the Internet," Bhatia said. "What I am looking for is ideas that can revolutionise the Net."

Bhatia's own revolutionary idea, Hotmail, hit a high last week. Hotmail, a unit of Microsoft that Bhatia headed till recently, said its active membership crossed 30 million, about 20 million signing up this year alone. It is by far the biggest e-mail service in the world, far ahead of America Online which has over 14 millionmembers. But as Microsoft battles to establish the MSN as a leading "portal site," so called because these mark the entry point for Internet users, it has encountered stiff competition from younger companies. Bhatia said, "Look at AOL, or Yahoo! or Excite, all have acquired companies and are building their strengths." Microsoft did not have anyone to spot exciting startups and either buy them or partner them, he added. When Microsoft bought Hotmail, Bhatia was expected only to head the e-mail service unit independently, but "other responsibilities evolved over time," he said. And recently the company sought a person who could head its further ventures on the Internet.

Commenting on Hotmail's phenomenal growth, Bhatia said it had benefitted greatly by the association with Microsoft. "It has received a lot of distribution from Microsoft network properties across the globe," he said. "Secondly, we have also spent more heavily on advertising and marketing."