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Indian American girl wins the Time ‘kid of the year’ award

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Gitanjali Rao wins the Times ‘Kid of year’

Proud moment to the Indian American community and emphasising the significant contribution they have made to the society.

There is no dearth of talent in India or Pakistan, but should reassess the education system thoroughly to encourage and provide the right platform for kids to reach their full potential


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For the past 92 years, TIME has named a Person of the Year. In 2019, then-16-year-old Greta Thunberg became the youngest ever Person of the Year, and the first individual under age 25 to receive the title. Her movement to stop climate change, among other world-shifting youth movements of recent years, make clear that young people carry tremendous influence today, and that they are using that influence to shape a world that matches their vision.

This year, in partnership with Nickelodeon, TIME is recognizing in the U.S. its first ever Kid of the Year, a barometer for the rising leaders of America’s youngest generation. To choose the most influential kids of 2020, we looked across social media and school districts, at actions big and small. “Small steps can lead to big change,” says TIME for Kids editor Andrea Delbanco. “These are everyday kids making change in their communities in a fun and accessible—but very impactful—way.”

Panelists including representatives from the Special Olympics and Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA formed an advisory committee to help judge the more than 5,000 U.S.-based nominees on the positive impact they’ve had this year and signs that they’ll continue to lead in the future. A committee of kids, including Nickelodeon stars Young Dylan and Chinguun Sergelen, Disney star Sky Katz, Little Chef Ivy, and Time For Kids kid reporters Tiana Sirmans and Raunak Singh, then worked with comedian Trevor Noah to narrow down the finalists and select the ultimate Kid of the Year.

The five finalists have grown food for those in crisis, designed better toys for kids with disabilities, and started new conversations about racial justice. They include Tyler Gordon, 14, from San Jose, Calif.; Jordan Reeves, 14, from Columbia, Mo.; Bellen Woodard, 10, from Leesburg, Va.; and Ian McKenna, 16, from Austin.

Exceptional leadership is what made the ultimate Kid of the Year, 15-year-old scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao, stand out. Rao not only researches scientific tools such as artificial intelligence and carbon nanotube sensor technology and applies them to problems she sees in everyday life, like cyberbullying and water contamination. She also shows other kids how to tap into their curiosity, aspiring to create a generation of innovators.

Each of this year’s five finalists will be designated a TIME for Kids Kid Reporter, given opportunities to contribute to TIME, and will receive a cash prize from ViacomCBS, Nickelodeon’s owner.

“I really hope the work that all of these kids are doing identifies innovation as a necessity and not something that’s a choice anymore,” Rao tells Angelina Jolie in an interview for TIME. “I hope I can be a small part of that.”

https://time.com/5916802/how-time-picked-2020-kid-of-the-year/
 
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Very impressive and kudos to the young lady.
 
Seems like a very smart young lady, but I'd be interested in what they mean by her using AI? Perhaps bioinformatics-like approaches since she seems into the biosciences. Pretty cool field that I have very shallow knowledge of.

I wonder who will be the next prodigy. Terence Tao likely was the most recent one, and he's in his 40's now. For those unaware, he is the most accomplished mathematician of recent times, completed his Master's in mathematics by age 16, PhD from Princeton by age 20, and was a full professor by 24 (when most people become professors in their 40's). Most of his work is far above my level, but a really remarkable and humble guy indeed.
 
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