Gitanjali Rao Named First-Ever Time ‘Kid of the Year’ 2020, Indian-American Gitanjali Rao is a 15-year-old scientist and inventor living in Colorado.
She made the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for developing a mobile device in 2017 to test for lead in drinking water and has made an app that detects cyberbullying.
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.
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.
This is not the first time Rao has been recognised for her work. In 2017, she won praise when she created a device called ‘Tehys’ that used carbon nanotube sensors to detect lead in water in response to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
“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.
“Observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate,” Ms Rao told about her process during a virtual talk with Ms 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.”
