Gitanjali Rao Becomes the First Ever TIME “Kid of The Year”

By Ishank Katyal

New York: Gitanjali Rao is a 15- year old Indian American girl who is a ‘brilliant’ scientist and inventor. She has been labelled as the first ever “Kid of the Year” by TIME Magazine with more than 5,000 nominees from her field for this title. She is now known for her “tremendous work” using technology to tackle issues ranging from drinking contaminated water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying.

“The world belongs to those who shape it. And however uncertain that world may feel at the given moment, the reassuring reality seems to be that each new generation produces more of what these kids have already achieved: positive impact, in all sizes,” TIME said.

“Observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate,’ Rao told about her journey during a virtual interview with humanitarian Angelina Jolie.

While being interviewed, she was asked about her passion and she told Jolie that science is her passion, she always wanted to put smile on other’s faces. “That was my everyday goal, just to make someone happy. And it soon turned into, how can we bring positivity and community to the place we live?” she added.

She said she hoped she could inspire others to dream up ideas to “solve the world’s problems”.

Time began awarding its man of the year honour in 1927, later updating it to person of the year, but this is the first time it has named a kid of the year. Time, which also produces the child-friendly Time For Kids, teamed up with children’s TV channel Nickelodeon for the new award.

Last year, climate activist Greta Thunberg became the youngest ever person of the year when she was given the honour at age 16.