This was something that sent social media into a tizzy – for a change, the reason behind this is good. Time Magazine named 15-year-old Gitanjali Rao Kid of the Year. Just a simple YouTube search of Gitanjali Rao reveals an impressive list of videos of a young girl doing science experiments, chatting with TV show hosts, doing Ted Talks and more. Gitanjali Rao also featured in Ted Talks 2019 and managed to impress Shah Rukh Khan.
She has invented a gadget that easily detects the presence of lead in water. She has also used technology to tackle other issues such as cyberbullying and opioid addiction. She was chosen from among 5000 nominees to be Time magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year.
Many celebs tweeted in support of Gitanjali; expressing admiration and amazement for her brilliance.
Many Indians are particularly proud that someone from the Indian diaspora in the USA has achieved this. This is also seen as significant because being an innovator/inventor is still largely a male preserve and here a female was chosen to be awarded.
Gitanjali’s awareness and ability; her desire to make a difference to the world around; particularly at her age when most kids don’t think beyond social media, is something that many are simply in awe of.
There were many who pointed out that there will now be even more pressure within the already high-achieving Indian diaspora in the US. According to this view, there is likely to be a Sharmaji ka Ladka type situation for other kids to be high achievers.
Several people expressed the view that being part of lists such as those that Time takes out all the time can draw too much attention and focus expectation upon individuals. Hereafter, there will be such high expectations from Gitanjali, that it is unlikely that she will be allowed to be just a ‘regular kid.’
Gitanjali has won many other awards as well in. she also featured in the Ted Talks show with Shah Rukh Khan.
Ever since she was about six years old, Gitanjali has wanted to make a difference; anything to improve things for others and put a smile on someone’s face. She believes that it is never too early to try and make a difference. We don’t know what the future holds for her, but right now she seems like a really bright and sorted young person. I feel that Gitanjali Rao is someone who is more likely to inspire others than to make them feel pressured; the Twitter doubters notwithstanding.
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