The popular TIME magazine in their latest launch event has announced Gitanjali Rao, a 15-year-old Indian American as the first-ever kid of the year. She has owned this honourable mention through her immense contributions in the field of Technology for combating issues such as contamination of drinking water to cyberbullying and opioid addiction.
In their article on Gitanjali Rao, The Times magazine mentioned that, “The world belongs to those who shape it. And however uncertain that world may feel at a given moment, the reassurance reality seems to be that each new generation produced more of what these kids- five Kid of the Year finalists selected from a field of more than 5,000 Americans, ages 8 to 16 have already achieved: positive impact, in all sizes.”
Gitanjali Rao was interviewed by popular Hollywood actor and the special envoy of the UN high commissioner of refugees, Angelina Jolie. During her interview with Jolie, Gitanjali mentioned, “Observe, Brainstorm, Research, Build and Communicate.”
Interview with TIME Magazine
When asked upon how she discovered that the science was calling her, Gitanjali won over many hearts by stating that it is her everyday goal to put a smile on someone’s face. Fathers during her interview with the TIME magazine, she added, “ I don’t look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on tv is that it’s an older, usually white man as a scientist. It is weird to me that it was almost like people had assigned roles, regarding like their gender, their age, the colour of their skin.”
She also mentioned that her generation had faced severe obstacles like COVID 19 and issues on human rights which can only be tackled with the help of a stronghold on technology. Thus, her work extensively involved the use of technology to manage a wide range of issues. Hence, it is her mission to create a global community of young and talented innovators that together aim at solving problems.
About Gitanjali Rao TIME’s Kid of the Year
Gitanjali Rao is right now pursuing 7th grade from STEM School Highlands Ranch. She has also been awarded America’s Top Young Scientist for the invention of a device that detects the presence of lead in water in the year 2017. Along with this, she has also been recognised for innovating an Epione, which is a device that works for early diagnosis for opioid addiction through a mobile application.
This was all about Gitanjali Rao, TIME’s Kid of the Year! We wish her great luck for her career ahead! Do you also want to make a career in STEM? Reach out to Leverage Edu experts to know the best way to achieve it!