15-year-old Indian-American Gitanjali Rao named TIME magazine’s first-ever ‘Kid of the Year'
Indian American Gitanjali Rao is a young scientist and inventor
New York, Dec 3: 15-year-old Indian-American Gitanjali Rao, a "brilliant" young scientist and inventor, has been named by TIME magazine as the first-ever ‘Kid of the Year' for her “astonishing work using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying”.
The world belongs to those who shape it. And however uncertain that world may feel at a 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.
Rao was selected from a field of more than 5,000 nominees as TIME's first-ever Kid of the Year. She was interviewed by actor and activist Angelina Jolie for the TIME special.
Observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate, Rao told about her process during a virtual talk with Jolie from her home in Colorado.
She spoke about her astonishing work using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying, and about her mission to create a global community of young innovators to solve problems the world over.
Even over video chat, her brilliant mind and generous spirit shone through, along with her inspiring message to other young people: don't try to fix every problem, just focus on one that excites you, Time said.
If I can do it, she said in the interview, anybody can do it.
Rao said her generation is facing many problems that they have never seen before.
But then at the same time, we're facing old problems that still exist. Like, we're sitting here in the middle of a new global pandemic, and we're also like still facing human-rights issues. There are problems that we did not create but that we now have to solve, like climate change and cyberbullying with the introduction of technology, she said.
I think more than anything right now, we just need to find that one thing we're passionate about and solve it. Even if it's something as small as, I want to find an easy way to pick up litter. Everything makes a difference. Don't feel pressured to come up with something big, she said.
When asked when she knew that science was her passion, Rao said she always wanted to put a smile on someone's face. 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?
Rao added that she doesn't look like "your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it's an older, usually white man as a scientist. It's weird to me that it was almost like people had assigned roles, regarding like their gender, their age, the colour of their skin.
"My goal has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world's problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because, from personal experience, it's not easy when you don't see anyone else like you. So I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it," she said.
She said when she was in second or third grade, she started thinking about how she can use science and technology to create social change. She said she was 10 when she told her parents that she wanted to research carbon nanotube sensor technology at the Denver Water Quality Research Lab.
When asked by Jolie if Rao does things that kids her age do, she said actually I spend more time doing 15-year-old things during the quarantine. I bake an ungodly amount. It's not good, but it's baking. And, like, it's science too.
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Deputy CM DK Shivakumar claims BJP trying to impose Governor's rule in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Apr 19: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday claimed that the BJP is clandestinely planning to impose Governor's rule in the state.
He was responding to the opposition BJP's allegation that the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state following the murder of the daughter of a city civic body councillor on the campus of her college in Hubballi, which has sparked widespread condemnation and protests.
"The BJP is trying to threaten us... Karnataka has the best law and order... They want to tell voters that they're going to impose Governor's rule. That's what R Ashoka (BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition) is trying confidentially. They want to place the state under Governor's rule, that's why they are doing all this drama. But they can't do that. It's impossible..." Shivakumar said.
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In a shocking incident, Neha Hiremath (23), daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College on Thursday.
The accused Fayaz Khondunaik, who fled from the scene, was arrested by the police subsequently.
Neha was a first-year Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student and Fayaz was earlier her classmate.
The issue has snowballed into a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP. While the ruling party has tried to project it as an incident with a personal angle, the saffron party has labelled it 'love jihad' and has said it shows the deterioration of law and order in the state.
BJP's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and other organisations aligned to Hindutva outfits have staged protests demanding justice, and calling for severe punishment for the Muslim accused.
Similar protests have been reported in various other places.
