Kolkata kid wins Google Doodle 2022 contest 

If you have been on Google quite regularly, you would be familiar with the Google Doodle that appears on the Home Page every once in a while, to celebrate special days, milestones, and individuals.  

This time, on the occasion of ‘Children’s Day’ in India, Google had conducted a Google Doodle 2022 contest for youngsters studying in grades 1 to 10. The theme of the competition was “In the next 25 years, my India will...”. Out of more than 1,15,000 entries from 100 Indian cities, it was the doodle of Kolkata kid Shlok Mukherjee, student of Delhi Public School, New Town, that was declared as the winner. His doodle was titled ‘India on the centre stage’ and represented his hopes and visions for the future India, primarily focussing on scientific advancements in the upcoming years. His caption read as follows: “In the next 25 years, my India will have scientists develop their own eco-friendly robot for humanity’s betterment. India will have regular intergalactic travels from Earth to space. India will develop more in Yoga and Ayurveda, and will get stronger in coming years.” 

Sources from tech giant Google has cited that 20 doodles were shortlisted by a panel of judges comprising of prominent personalities including Kuriakose Vaisian, the current Editor-in-Chief at Tinkle Comic, actor Neena Gupta, YouTuber Slayypoint, and artist Alika Bhat along with the Google Doodle team. 

Interestingly, all the creative entries from youngsters were also put up online on the Google Doodle site for public voting. Over 5 lakh votes came pouring in, that not only helped the tech major determine the national winner but also the group winners.  

In case you are wondering how the winner was chosen, as per Google, the final decision was made based on “artistic merit, creativity, alignment with the contest theme, uniqueness and novelty of the approach.” The aim of the contest was simple and straightforward – to encourage young minds explore their creativity and imagination.  

For those unaware, the first Google Doodle was unveiled in 1998 and featured the Burning Man festival. It was designed by comic artist duo Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Their doodle also helped users realise when and if the servers crashed, especially in their absence.  

Interestingly, as part of this year's Google Doodle concept, India’s children emphasised on technological development and sustainability, something that has left the judges as well as the entire team of Google impressed.