7 Odia kids who pushed Odisha to limelight

Bhubaneswar: Children are the future of a nation. Be it as performers, athletes or scientists, Odia kids have time and again brought glory to the state. On the occasion of Children's Day today, Odisha Sun Times applauds these children for achieving brilliance at a tender age.

Lalita Prasida Sripada Srisai

Picture courtesy: www.astroulagam.com.my/Portals

This 13-year-old DPS Damanjodi student won the Community Impact Award at the prestigious Google Science Fair competition in California in 2015. Her cost-effective project aimed at cleaning waste water useful in immobilizing contaminants in domestic and industrial effluent, and in ponds, reservoirs and water tanks.

Meghali Malbika Swain

Known as the Google girl, 10-year-old Meghali from Bhubaneswar has her name etched on the pages of India Book of Records for naming 165 rivers in one minute, 1000 rivers of world in 9 minute, 1000 cities of world in 10 minute and 1000 physical bodies of earth in 12 minutes.

Chandan Nayak

It was not just a dream come true for this 11-year-old from Bhubaneswar, but also a moment of great pride for the entire nation when he was selected to train at Bayern Munich, the iconic football club in Germany, as an academy player for two months, last year. Though initially, his passport troubles posed a threat to his journey, the city administration later aided in his travel to train at the European club.

Satyajeet Jena

Just 12 years old, this Odia boy from Keonjhar stole hearts in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs, telecast on Zee TV. He was touted as one of the top contenders for the title and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too had appealed to the audience to support him. Though he bowed out of the show later, due to his voice transformation, he is still ruling hearts with his quintessential Mile Jo Tum Humko. He recorded a song this year for Shankar Mahadevan with Sunidhi Chauhan as his co-singer. He recently sung the Bhawanra Mun Heli Re for the Odia movie Prema Na Aau Kichi.

Barnali Hota

Seventeen-year-old dimpled Barnali Hota is the newest addition to talented Odias. She won the runner-up trophy at the music reality show Dil Hai Hindustani, aired on Star Plus this year. With a charming smile and a dynamic voice, she is now eyeing the American reality show, America’s Got Talent and has her calendar packed with stage shows.

Ananya Sritam NandaAnanya became a household name after winning Indian Idol Junior Season 2 in 2015. This sweet-faced 13-year-old from the capital city of Odisha melted the hearts of the jury and audience alike. She went on to lend her voice in the movie M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story and released her debut single Mausam Mastaana last year.

Lohitakshya Pattnaik

Picture courtesy: Facebook/Lohitakshya Patnaik

A child actor, thirteen-year-old Lohitakshaya, has worked in national television shows like CID, Beintehaa, Aahat, Crime Patrol, etc. , other than many ad films and was awarded Best ETV Child Artist in 2010. He made his debut in Bollywood film Bachche Kachche Sachche this year.