KISS receives Think Odisha Leadership Award

Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha presented the “Think Odisha Leadership Awards-2011” to Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) for Best Social Activity on 27th August 2011. Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS received the award on behalf of KISS at an award ceremony held in Bhubaneswar.   

The annual awards, which recognize excellence in different fields starting from industry to sports, to art and social services, is an initiative by the Times of India group and Tefla’s, an event management group, to create an interface between corporate houses, government and NGOs.

School of Management hosts 2nd National HR Conclave

School of Management, KIIT University (KSOM), a constituent school of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, organized  its 2nd National HR Conclave based on the theme “Leadership Challenges in Business: Today and Beyond.”

The Conclave took up the challenge of addressing the issues that HR professionals across industries face in developing employees as leaders. Questions on what make effective leaders and how to decode the intricate processes of developing leaders were discussed, with particular emphasis on the rules and challenges that are shaping the quest for able leaders.

The Conclave was inaugurated by Mr. Hari Menon, CEO, Indiaskills, who also graced the occasion as chief guest; Prof. R. P. Kaushik, Chancellor, KIIT University; Prof. Ashok S. Kolaskar, Vice Chancellor, KIIT University and Prof. Ashok Kumar Sar, Dean, KSOM. The inaugural ceremony saw a large number of participants including executives from corporate and public sectors, academicians, students and faculty members.  Among the other eminent speakers who attended the Conclave and shared their rich insights were corporate leaders like Mr. Aquil Busrai, CEO, Aquil Busrai Consulting; Mr. S. P. Garg, Head of Employee Relations, Britannia; Mr. Vijay Iyer, Chief Learning Officer, Deloitte India U. S. Offices, Mr. Srikantha Karra, Director HR, Hewlett-Packard; Mr. Nishith Mohanty, Chief HR Officer, Manipal Group; and Mr. Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, Head HR, Philips Carbon Black Limited.

The Conclave had three sessions, besides the inaugural session. The inaugural session focused on the Five Rules as formulated by Dave Ulrich, Norm Smallwood and Kate Sweetman, called The Leadership Code, which formed the basis for the conclave. While the first session discussed the need to engage today’s challenge in order to develop their careers, the second session carried forward the conclave by elucidating on the requirements for building the next generation. The final session discussed at length the importance of investing in oneself in order to emerge as a successful and transformational leader.

Prof. Sar introduced the topic of the conclave, expounding on the work of Ulrich, et al, briefing the guests about the rules that formed the sub-themes for the subsequent sessions. Prof. Ashok Kolaskar addressed the audience, citing chairman emeritus of Infosys, Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy as an exemplary leader for future managers. On similar grounds, Prof. Kaushik added to the Vice-Chancellor’s speech, alluding to the visionary leaders of J. P. Morgan who steered the company through difficult times.

Mr. Hari Menon, the keynote speaker for the conclave, talked about how our lives do not change when there is a change in the people who influence us but instead how our lives change when we change, going beyond our limiting beliefs. He concluded his speech by stressing on the importance of engaging today’s talent.

Mr. Sabyachi Bhattacharya started his speech by quoting Aristotle: more than anything else men and women seek happiness. He emphasized on the challenges HR managers face at individual and organizational level and how integration and collaboration help in sorting out the differences in these levels. Mr. Aquil Busrai carried forward the conclave by his thought provoking speech in which he illuminated the audience about the gap between the industry needs and the present talent pool.

The discussion was continued by Mr Srikant Karra, who elaborated on the idea of building a platform for the next generation – generation Y – in which its members can come together with those of generation X for a symbiotic relationship. The event continued with eminent speakers like Mr. Vijay Iyer and Mr N. S. Rajan who enlightened the young students and experienced corporate executives alike on how creating leaders is such a complex and difficult activity that brings together the nuances of personal and professional behavior.

In the final session, Mr. Nishith Mohanty addressed the audience, talking about how leaders need to have a clear understanding of their own personalities, clarity in their vision, and the ability to display passion for their followers for making the transition from transaction to transformational leaders. Mr. S. P. Garg concluded the conclave, creating a very comprehensive picture in the minds of those present about the changes that current and future managers need to incorporate in their practices in order to develop their employees into leaders.

In the valedictory session, Dean, Prof. Ashok Sar covered the five rules of leadership development and the balance scorecard with a view to capture the associated objectives, measures, targets, and initiatives with a view to give a complete narration in the form of a scorecard for the development of leadership resources. He also summarized the proceedings, highlighting the role of the leadership resources in success for organizations across product markets and across geographic markets.

KIIT & KISS Celebrate 65th Independence Day

The 65th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour at different campuses of KIIT & KISS. Eminent Social Worker and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Shri Rajendra Singh hoisted the Tricolour and graced the occasion as Chief Guest in KISS. Addressing 15,000 tribal students of the Institute, he focused on environmental protection as our natual resources - land, water and air - are increasingly becoming polluted due to human activities. Students should do everything possible to save environment, he said. Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS expressed his gratitude to Shri Singh for this presence. The occasion was also graced by Iconic Writer, Mr. Ruskin Bond. Dr. P. K. Routaray, CEO, KISS proposed the vote of thanks. Students presented colourful march past and cultural programmes on the occasion.

Tribals Close to My Heart: Shri Pyari Mohan Mohapatra
KISS is the first Tribal Institute in India to have Wi-Fi System

“I have had the opportunity to know tribals closely and their development is a subject very close to my heart”, said Shri Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) while inaugurating the Wi-Fi System and other modern facilities for students of the largest residential tribal institute of the world, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), on 7th August 2011. Then Chief Minister Biju Babu had dreamt of setting up an elaborate residential tribal university, he said, adding that Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS has realized that dream through KISS. He congratulated Dr. Samanta for this.

Besides Wi-Fi System, Shri Mohapatra inaugurated Mechanised Steam-Based Kitchen, Video Conferencing Facility, C.C. Camera System and Adolescents Resource Centre in the august presence of Shri Badri Narayan Patra, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Orissa, Shri Lal Bihari Himirika, Hon’ble Minister of S.C. & S.T. Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, Orissa, Shri Bhagirathi Badajena, Hon’ble M.L.A., Bhubaneswar (North), Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray, Hon’ble M.L.A., Jatani, Prof. A. S. Kolaskar, Vice Chancellor, KIIT University and Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS.

Cooking for 15,000 students of the institute is an onerous task. Mechanised Kitchen will simplify it and enable cooking of such a large quantity of food at a time, while maintaining highest level of hygiene.

Shri Badri Narayan Patra observed that implementation of these modern facilities for the students of KISS is a welcome initiative and it will enhance the reputation of KISS at national level. All necessary assistance will be provided for the development of tribals, Shri Lal Bihari Himirika said. Shri Bhagirathi Badajena and Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray also expressed happiness and satisfaction over the launch of modern facilities at KISS.

Earlier, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude for their gracious presence. Implementation of these technology intensive facilities became necessary because of rapid growth of KISS and the importance it places on keeping the tribal students abreast with the modern developments of our age, he said. It will enable the students of KISS to enjoy the same facilities that students of any ultra-modern institute enjoy, he added. Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS proposed the vote of thanks.

Sr. U.S. Govt. Official Visits KISS

Ms. Reta Jo Lewis, Special Representative, Global Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State visited Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) on August 4, 2011. Speaking to 15,000 students of KISS, the largest tribal institute of the world, she said that the institute is realising the dreams of thousands of underprivileged children by providing them educational and employment opportunities. She congratulated its Founder, Dr. A. Samanta for establishing this remarkable centre of education.

Lack of education is the main reason for backwardness of tribal population, she observed, while emphasising that education is the foundation for progress. Ms. Lewis visited English Access Micro Scholarship Program Centre, which is functioning in KISS with assistance from US Federal Government, and interacted with the young scholars. The Centre, inaugurated by Mr. Timothy J. Roemer, then U.S. Ambassador to India on April 7, 2010, facilitates English language study to 350 tribal students of KISS for a period of two years. She also went around academic facility, Vocational Training Centres and sports facility of KISS.

Earlier, she was extended a warm and traditional welcome by the tribal students of KISS upon her arrival at the institute. Welcoming her to the campus, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS expressed his gratitude for her visit. It is a motivating experience for the tribal students and staff of KISS, he added. She also unveiled a stone plaque in her honour at the institute.

Ms. Reta Jo Lewis was appointed Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs in January 2010. Reporting directly to U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Hillary Clinton, she works to build and enhance relationships between state and local officials in the U.S. and their foreign counterparts around the world. In recent past, success of KISS as a unique model of tribal empowerment has attracted attention of senior officials of the U.S. Government. Those who have visited here include Mr. Timothy J. Roemer, then U.S. Ambassador to India, Ms. Katherine S. Dhanani, U.S. Consul General, Hyderabad and Ms. Beth A. Payne, U.S. Consul General, Kolkata.