World

Loud Cheers Echo in India After TIME Names Indo-American Teen Geetanjali as 1st 'Kid of the Year'

Geetanjali Rao, a bright teenager of Indian origin currently living in the US, sees science as her passion and putting a smile on people’s faces as her everyday goal in life. American weekly news magazine TIME has handpicked this 15-year-old and fond-of-baking girl to create history, owing to the work she does to give back to the community.
Sputnik

Out of over 5,000 nominees, TIME has named Rao as its first ever “Kid of the Year” for her "astonishing work" using technology to tackle several issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to cyber-bullying and opioid addiction.

“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", TIME quoted the young scientist-inventor as saying.

In India, the news has met with overwhelming responses, with netizens cheering the “daughter of the nation” on to achieve more success in her bright future.

​Prominent Indian industrialists and politicians, including Anand Mahindra and Shashi Tharoor, also joined in the cheering choir on Twitter. 

Business Tycoon Anand Mahindra Proposes Turning Coffee-Chaff Into Car Parts In India
The young Colorado resident was virtually interviewed by iconic Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. During the chat, Rao told Jolie that “observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate” make for an integral part of her thinking, creating, and executing process.

​Recalling her journey in science so far, Rao revealed to Jolie that she was in second or third grade when she started thinking about ways to use science and technology to create social change.

Discuss