Education for poverty alleviation: Achyuta Samanta

Education for poverty alleviation: Achyuta Samanta: Interview with founder, KIIT Institute of Social Sciences

Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT

Kalinga to Open Campuses for Poor Students in Telangana and Andhra

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), the largest residential institute for tribals in the world, will open its campuses in the Telugu States soon. In collaboration with the state governments, the KISS is aiming at providing free education to children belonging to the under-privileged sections of society in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States.

Speaking at a press meet here on Sunday, Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the KISS said, “Soon, I will meet the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana to seek support from the governments for our new campuses in both the States.”

Based in Bhubaneswar, the KISS has only one campus outside Odisha. After successfully opening its second campus in New Delhi, KISS is in the process of spreading its wings across the country to promote its education model. However, there are no plans to expand the KIIT.

“The KISS was started with an intention to provide free education to the poorest of the poor,” said Dr  Acyuta Samanta. Currently, the institute provides free education to 25,000 tribal students in Odisha. The institute is also providing free accommodation, food and books to these students on the campus. KISS has already earned reputation across the globe for its services in the education field, he said.

Samanta is planning to open similar campuses across the country and in all districts of Odisha. Impressed by the functioning of the institute, some of the states like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have already invited Samanta to expand the services of KISS to their states. However, he decided to start with the Telugu States, where he plans to admit 1,000 students in first batch from class I to XII.

“We will invest `15 crore towards providing infrastructure and are expecting government support for rest of the funds,” he said. If all permits are given, the institute will start functioning within six months, he assured.

Talking about the reason for setting up KISS, Achyuta

Samanta, said: “Still thousands of students don’t have access to basic education. Our intention is to educate the children belonging to the backward sections of society and achieve the United Nation’s goal of development through education.”

Human Chain on World Human Rights Day

To mark the International Human Rights Day on December 10, the KISS is planning to form the world’s longest human chain with its 25,000 students in Bhubaneshwar. With 32 kilometres of length, it would enter the Guinness Book record, said Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of KISS. It will also be the longest human chain formed by the tribal children, he added.

KISS-Bhubaneswar in the Itinerary of IAS Probationers’ Bharat Darshan

 Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has been included in the itinerary of winter study tour-cum-Bharat Darshan of Lal Bahadur Sashtri National Academy of Administration’s (LBSNAA) annual training programme for IAS probationers. It is an important component of the Phase-1 training programme for IAS probationers.

KISS has been included from the current year. Henceforth, IAS probationers will come on a visit to KISS every year to get first-hand knowledge on various activities of the institute. During Bharat Darshan, small groups of IAS probationers, as a part of their training in LBSNAA, involve themselves in various organizations and establishments of central and state government as well as civil society organizations (NGO). They also get a chance to visit rural areas to receive a systematic exposure to the work being done by the civil society organizations.

A group of IAS probationers will come on a three-day visit to KISS in the current year to learn how this largest free residential institution in the world for tribals functions in a systematic manner. They will also get a chance to receive first-hand knowledge about KISS, which s taking care of more than 25000 tribal children in one campus. One nodal officer has been selected to coordinate this programme.

It may be mentioned that, in 2014, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS was invited by Lal Bahadur Sashtri National Academy of Administration to deliver lecture to IAS probationers on poverty eradication, rural development and UN’s Millennium Development Goals. The authority of academy, inspired by Dr. Samanta’s work, decided to include KISS in its annual training programme.

ICSE, ISC Principals’ annual meet in Odisha city from today

A three-day annual general meeting of the Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificates (ASISC) will begin at the KIIT Convention Centre here from today.

The 58th annual conference of the ASISC comprising member Principals of ICSE and ISC schools affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi will have a theme for discussion on ‘Education in a Changing World’.

Governor SC Jamir is scheduled to attend the event as chief guest while Chairman of the CISCE Chairman Dr G Immanuel will address the delegates on the occasion. KIIT Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta will also be present among other dignitaries. More than 1,200 Principals and eminent educationists will participate in the meet.

The conference is aimed at enlightening and encouraging the member school Principals to bring excellence in their job as leaders of their schools. 

KISS Humanitarian Award Presented to Former President of Peru

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 was presented to His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru, at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar on October 22, 2015. Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, presented the award in the august presence of Madam Eliane Karp-Toledo, His Excellency Mr. J. J. Guillermo Betancourt Rivera, Ambassador of Peru to India, Mr. Carlos Jimenez Gil-Fortoul, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Peru in India and Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

The award citation recognized him as an "icon of hope and aspirations of millions of poverty stricken and indigenous aborigine people around the world". Dr. Toledo was the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected when he became President of Peru in 2001. During his five-year term, his central aim was the fight against poverty through investment in healthcare and education. As a result of social policies directed to the poorest of the poor, extreme poverty was reduced by 25 per cent in five years, and employment rose at an average rate of 6 per cent during his term.

He grew up in extreme poverty in a family of 16 siblings. However, he worked his way up against all odds, obtained higher education from top universities of the U.S. and went on to be elected the President of Peru. Education is the most effective weapon to slay poverty and inequality, Dr. Toledo said in his acceptance address. Speaking to 25,000 tribal boys and girls of KISS, he said, "I invite you to dream in order to be successful, but dream with your eyes open. Don't get truncated by the impossibility of your dreams. We have a lot of things in common."

"Dr.  Achyuta Samanta is changing the lives of millions of people. We give you tribute. I was born in a poor family in the high mountains of Andes of Peru. I grew up in extreme poverty. Seven out of 16 of my siblings died within the first year of birth. They died as they didn't have access to health care, nutrition and sanitation, and the visionary Dr. Samanta. We didn't have Dr. Samanta in my country and my continent," the Former President of Peru stated.

Recounting the story of his life, he said his father decided to migrate from the mountains to the seaport when he was four-and-half-years old. "I am of short stature due to malnourishment, but I could save my mind. From shining shoes and selling newspapers to supplement the daily income, we share the same background. The challenge is the same, even though the language and religion are different. You are lucky to be at KISS," he told the students.

It is an emotional and happy experience to be amongst 25,000 indigenous children, said Madam Toledo, adding that it is a great learning as Peru also has a sizeable indigenous population. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rivera stated, "Dr. Toledo's life gives the message that one can achieve any success by studying hard and being gentle to others. This award is recognition to an extraordinary life who is committed to work for the poorest for the poor."

In her presidential address, Smt. Bal said, "Presenting KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 to Dr. Toledo was a great honour for the institute. His words will be a source of great inspiration for the students of the institute."

Welcoming the former President of Peru and the visiting dignitaries, Dr. Samanta said, "The recipient is a beacon of light to the aborigines of South America and his concern for the common man and indigenous people is well known all over the world."

About KISS Humanitarian Award 

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. The award is presented annually and its recipient is chosen by a high-level jury. KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo is the eighth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are: Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (2014); Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, FXB International, Switzerland (2013); His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon'ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon'ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon'ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

About Dr. Achyuta Samanta:

Dr. Achyuta Samanta is the founder of globally visible KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences), a one-of-its-kind home for 25,000 poorest-of-the-poor indigenous aborigines, which provides free accommodation, food, healthcare and education from kindergarten to post-graduation (KG to PG) with vocational training. Dr. Samanta has been honoured with numerous national and international recognitions for his noble work, including Gusi Peace Prize International in 2014 and Isa Award for Service to Humanity. He is the Founder and propagator of 'Art of Giving' (philosophy of life), a concept aimed at bringing peace to human mind around the globe.

KiiT International School Ranks No 1 in East India

KiiT International Declared East India's No 1 International Day Boarding School

KiiT International School has been ranked 1st in East India and 9th in the country in a survey of India's Top Rank International Day-cum-Boarding School by the prestigious Education World magazine, report of which has been published in its latest edition.
   
The survey was conducted by Education World (EW) through C-Fore representatives for over four months all over the country. It evaluated the schools on the basis of 12 parameters, including teacher welfare and development, academic reputation, sports education, individual attention to students, parental involvement, internationalism and community service.

EW International Day-cum-Boarding School Rankings 2015 comprises of 23 schools affiliated with foreign examination boards. Though KiiT International School is a young school, established only eight years ago, its academic environment, excellent teaching-learning process, experienced and skilled faculty and personal attention to each and every student earned it 9th rank in the country.
Apart from these, KiiT International School students have achieved commendable success in various national and international entrance examinations and got academic placement in various reputed international institutions like University of British Colombia, Cambridge University, London and reputed national institutions like IIM, IIT, NLUs, DU, etc.

Expressing pleasure over the achievement, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder KIIT & KISS said excellent teaching-learning process, dedication and involvement of teachers and continuous effort of students brought this laurel to the school. He thanked Dr. Mona Lisa Bal, Chairperson; Mr. Sanjay Suar, Principal; all faculty members, staff and students for this achievement.
Indus International School, Bangalore was ranked first, followed by Pathways World School, Aravali Gurgaon and Indus International School, Pune, among others.

About KiiT International School

KiiT International School is a member of KIIT educational conglomerate, which adds an international dimension to the institute's record of excellence service in the cause of education. KiiT International School is led by engaging minds, who are transforming lives and serving others with compassion and empathy to scale the summit of education as a premier international school.
The school not only has world-class infrastructure, but offers CBSE as the national and the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as the international curriculum from KG to class XII. It also offers full boarding along with day boarding facilities with its focus on innovative and practical learning approach.