New Delhi: Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, home to 80,000 tribal children, stands as a beacon of holistic education, offering boarding, healthcare, vocational training, and sports empowerment. The fully free residential school, spanning from kindergarten to post-graduation and beyond, garnered accolades during the discussion on the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2023 in Lok Sabha on December 7, 2023.
During the deliberation, Chandrashekar Sahu, the Member of Parliament from Brahmapur, representing Biju Janata Dal, highlighted the KISS model while discussing the initiatives of the state government. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the former Minister and current MP from Saran in Bihar, once again commended the visionary work of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, expressing appreciation for the impactful transformation he witnessed during his visit to KISS. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of the Opposition, also recognized and praised KISS as a pioneering concept.
In response, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the commendations from other Members of Parliament, emphasizing the significance of the KISS model. The KISS approach to educating tribal children has not only empowered the immediate beneficiaries, with approximately 80,000 individuals directly benefiting, but has also had an indirect impact on over 8 million people.
Dr. Achyuta Samanta expressed his gratitude for the widespread recognition, stating, “Such acknowledgment fuels my enthusiasm. The KISS model, appreciated across party lines, has become a revolutionary example cited not only within Odisha but also nationally. This honor, witnessed on the parliamentary floor, is dedicated to the students, staff of KISS and KIIT, and our stakeholders and well-wishers.”
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Previously, Virendra Kumar, a senior MP from Madhya Pradesh and the current Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, along with Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha, had also acknowledged and praised Dr. Achyuta Samanta’s initiative in empowering tribals through comprehensive education.
