Seven-year-old Kautilya Pandit is what you would call a walking, talking encyclopedia, with the capacity to absorb information ranging from geography to biology and current affairs. He also dabbles in economic statistics, politics and pretty much any other subject you can think of. Within three months, the little kid managed to memorize information about 213 countries, their population, GDP, source of income, currency, religion, culture and heritage.
Kautilya, a resident of Kohand Village in Haryana, India, is now a national celebrity – he regularly travels to schools across India, answering live questions from other kids, on stage. In one of his latest appearances, he was asked unusual questions like the total surface area of Vatican City, the GDP of the UK and more. He was able to answer them all with ease.
Kautilya’s ability to absorb information and his photographic memory have earned him the nickname ‘Google’. One of his finest moments was when he got to be a part of the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (India’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire) in 2013. “That genius kid Kautilya Pandit, just above five years and answers questions that many scientists and knowledged (sic) persons could never (answer),” the show’s host, Amitabh Bachchan, had posted on Twitter.
Admirably, Kautilya prefers to share the credit of his brilliance with his guardians. “I guess the best thing is that I was lucky enough to have parents and teachers who realized I had a gift and who have helped me develop,” the wonderkid said. “I don’t have friends in my class,” he added. “My grandfather is my best friend. I don’t know why I am different but I know I am curious about everything, and keep asking questions, but in my case the answers just remain there.”
Needless to say, his parents are quite proud of his achievements. “Kautilya is God’s best gift to us. He is very curious by nature and is blessed with a photographic memory,” said his father Satish Sharma. “We noticed Kautilya’s unusual talent that was way beyond his years, but could never imagine that he is an ocean of knowledge. It all began in his summer vacation when he would spend a lot of time studying the atlas and other books. And then began the questions. All our answers were met with a fresh question! He understands things and that helps him retain them.”
For his extraordinary brilliance, Kautilya is just as confused about his future plans as any other kid. “I want to be an IAS officer… no, a scientist… an astronaut…” he said, before finally declaring, “I will first study and then decide.”
