ASCI Public Lecture on “Transforming Lives through Education: The KIIT and KISS Story” delivered by Dr. Achyuta Samanta

Hyderabad: Dr. Achyuta Samanta, a distinguished Educationist, Philanthropist, and Social Worker, known for his remarkable contributions, is the Founder and Mentor of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). He is also the driving force behind the KISS Foundation operating in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Notably, Dr. Achyuta Samanta serves as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.
On Thursday, the 14th of September 2023, at 5:00 p.m., Dr. Achyuta Samanta graced the Bella Vista Campus of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), located in Somajiguda, Hyderabad, with a captivating lecture entitled “Transforming Lives through Education: The KIIT and KISS Story” as part of the ASCI Public Lecture Series.
Dr. Nirmalya Bagchi, Director General of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), warmly welcomed the distinguished guest, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, as Sri K. Padamanabhaiah, IAS (Retd), Chairman of ASCI, delivered the opening remarks at a recent event.
During his engaging address, Prof. Achyuta Samanta took the audience on a profound journey into his life’s mission – educating the masses, particularly those from the tribal regions of Odisha. Through captivating videos showcasing his initiatives related to prayer, the Art of Giving, and “AS with AB,” he shared how these endeavors have been instrumental in transforming countless lives.
Born and raised in Kalarabanka, Odisha, amidst profound poverty alongside seven siblings and a widowed mother, Prof. Samanta’s personal experiences fueled his passion for educational reform. His resolute determination emerged at the tender age of four when he tragically lost his father in a train accident. Against all odds, he pursued and completed his Master’s degree, continuously battling hardships.
In 1992, while serving as a Chemistry Lecturer, he founded a modest polytechnic institution with a meager $100, but with boundless willpower and unwavering passion. Over the years, this humble industrial training institution evolved into the globally renowned Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), attaining university status in 2004.
Simultaneously, in the same transformative year of 2004, Prof. Samanta established the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), dedicated to providing free education to indigenous boys and girls, transcending socio-economic barriers.
Prof. Samanta’s profound belief that “Positivity is the best way to sustainable success” underlines his relentless commitment to giving deprived children access to quality education, akin to granting sight to the blind. His life’s work and unwavering dedication have inspired millions worldwide, as he envisions a world characterized by peace and happiness through his flagship programs: the Art of Giving, Kanya Kiran, and Education for All.
Remaining single and wholly devoted to his mission, Prof. Achyuta Samanta leads a simple life in a two-room apartment in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, devoid of any personal land or property, a testament to his selflessness.
He ardently believes, “Poverty creates illiteracy. Literacy eradicates poverty.”
Today, KIIT stands tall as an Institution of Eminence, globally acclaimed for its commitment to professional education in India. It boasts a diverse student body of 40,000 from across India and 65 countries worldwide. Furthermore, KISS has grown to become the largest tribal education institution, with 30,000 students at the Bhubaneswar Campus, a robust alumni network of over 40,000, and an additional 10,000 students served through satellite centers across Odisha.
Prof. Achyuta Samanta’s life story and his relentless pursuit of educational equity continue to inspire and illuminate the path toward a brighter and more inclusive future for all.