Years ago , footage emerged from a remote village in India . The video shows a young girl receiving surgery to separate her fingers , which were badly burned and fused together. Why did this operation make headlines around the world? The surgery was performed by a 7-year-old boy named Akrit Jaswal.

Now 13 years old , Akrit has an IQ of 146 and is considered the smartest person his age in India -a country of more than a billion people. Before Akrit could even speak , his parents say they knew he was special.

Akrit developed a passion for science and anatomy at an early age. Doctors at local hospitals took notice and started allowing him to observe surgeries when he was 6 years old. Inspired by what he saw , Akrit read everything he could on the topic. When an impoverished family heard about his amazing abilities , they asked if he would operate on their daughter for free. Her surgery was a success.

After the surgery , Akrit was hailed as a medical genius in India . Neighbors and strangers flocked to him for advice and treatment. At age 11 , Akrit was admitted to Punjab University .. He’s the youngest student ever to attend an Indian university. That same year , he was also invited to London ’s famed Imperial College to exchange ideas with scientists on the cutting edge of medical research.

Akrit says he has millions of medical ideas , but he’s currently focused on developing a cure for cancer. “I’ve developed a concept called oral gene therapy on the basis of my research and my theories , ” he says. “I’m quite dedicated towards working on this mechanism.”

Currently , Akrit is working toward a bachelor’s degrees in zoology , botany and chemistry. Someday , he hopes to continue his studies at Harvard University ..