Bhagwan Mahaveer Award for KISS Founder

KIIT & KISS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta has been chosen to receive the 15th Mahaveer Award 2012. He has been selected for the honour for his excellent Human Endeavour in providing free education to over 16,500 underprivileged tribal children from 62 tribes and 13 primitive tribes through Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). The 15th annual awards, which carry a purse of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a memento each, were decided after processing over 260 nominations by a jury headed by former Chief Justice of India M N Venkatachaliah. The awards are usually conferred by the President of India.

The awards have been instituted by Bhagawan Mahaveer Foundation. The Foundation's Award for Excellence in the sphere of Community and Social Service this year would be given to Ramakrishna Mission Hospital at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

Important personalities from different parts of the country have been past recipients of the awards. They include Shri Anna Hazare (1997) and Dr. Prakash Murlidar Amte, Dr.Mandakini Prakash (1998). This award is given in four areas - Non-violence and Vegetarianism, Education, Medicine and Community & Social services. Intellectuals and educationists have hailed the Foundation’s decision to confer the award on Dr. Samanta.

KIIT University features in the National University Games Sports Calendar 2012-13

KIIT University is the only university in Odisha to feature in the National University Games Sports Calendar 2012-13. The decision to include KIIT was taken by the Inter University Sports Board of India, the highest sports body of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi on the basis of KIIT's previous track record of organizing National & International sporting events successfully and its worldclass sporting facility with unmatched hospitality. KIIT's selection was appreciated by the member universities at the Sport's Board meeting held on 5th & 6th June 2012.

AIU Calendar of National University Games: 2012-2013

Coir Industry in Odisha Set to Get Boost
Coir Board, KIIT to Join Hand

The Coir Board has chalked out ambitious plans to develop coir industry in Odisha in a big way. Odisha has about 54,000 hectares under coconut cultivation producing 290 million coconuts annually, informed Prof. G. Balachandran, Chairman, Coir Board at a press meet in KIIT University, Bhubaneswar on 28th June 2012. The press meet was held in the sidelines of Seminar on Coir Industry jointly organized by Bhubaneswar Regional Office of Coir Board and KIIT University.

The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Balachandran in the presence of Mr. M. Kumara Raja, Secretary, Coir Board and Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, who is also a Member of the Board. The Coir Board is working on plans for tie up with KIIT and KISS in near future for occasional training and upgradation of coir industry, Prof. Balachandran said.

The export of coir and coir products in the year 2011-12 was Rs 1052.62 crore as against Rs. 807.07 crore during the corresponding period of previous year, Prof. Balachandran informed. Briefing the media on the present status of coir industry in Odisha, he said that Coir Board has 600 registered units in the State producing 6521 MTs of coir fiber a year, which are used for making various value-added coir products. The percentage of husk utilization for value addition is roughly about 30%, he informed.     

The Coir Board has released Rs 110 lakh under SFURTI Scheme of Govt. of India for coir development activities in two clusters - Sakhigopal and Alnahat in Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts respectively, said Mr. M. Kumara Raja. Similarly, the Board has released Rs 122.37 lakh for Rejuvenation, Modernization and Technology upgradation (REMOT) in the State. Outlining various programmes being implemented by the Board, Mr. Raja said the Board is also extending financial assistance for setting up of coir units under the scheme Development of Production Infrastructure and the quantum of assistance is to the tune of 25% of the investment subject to a maximum of 6 lakh in the case of fiber extraction units, Rs 4 lakh in the case of automatic spinning units and Rs. 5 lakh in the case of coir pith based units. Other programmes being implemented include training to women artisans in coir yarn production, conduct of Entrepreneur Development Programme, Quality Improvement Programme, Workshops, Seminars, etc.

The Board has proposed various programmes during the 12th Five Year Plan for the development of coir industry in Odisha, said Mr. B. B. Jani, Bhubaneswar Regional Officer, Bhubaneswar in his welcome address at the Seminar. The Board has prepared an action plan to increase the husk utilization percentage to 50%, he added.

The 209th Coir Board meeting is being convened on 29th June 2012 at Bhubaneswar in which various programmes for development of coir industry in the State will be discussed and finalized. The Chairman, Coir Board will also meet the Chief Minister of Odisha to finalize action plan for coir industry in the State. The Board also plans to organize International Coir Techno Expo 2012 from 12-16 August 2012 at Kochi. The Expo will demonstrate lab to trade transfer of technology, which has been developed in Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI), Alleppy, Kerala and Central Institute of Coir Technology (CICT), Bangaluru.  

KISS Achieves Cent Percent Result in HSC Exam

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has posted impressive result in High School Certificate Examination, Odisha, recording cent percent result 10 times in a row. The result was declared on Thursday. For last ten years, KISS has been recording cent percent result in the Class X examination of the Odisha Board. Continuing the successful run, more than 400 tribal boys and girls of KISS who appeared the examination passed this year.

Examinees from the Institute included students from primitive tribes such as Dangaria Kondh, Bonda, Lodha, Saura, Lanjia Saura, Juanga, Gadava, Koya, Birhar and Kharia. A boy from Bonda Primitive Tribe, namely Madhusudan Badanayak has secured 75% mark, which is record in Odisha as well as for the entire Bonda Tribes. Similarly Sanatan Majhi from Kutia Kondh Primitive Tribe tops among 10th class students securing 80% mark. Also Primitive Tribe students like Kusha Arlab (Soura) and Manoranjan Khilo (Dangaria Kondh) have passed in 1st class. Out of 400 students, 42% girls, 10% students secured first division.

Expressing happiness over the impressive pass record of KISS students, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS said it could only be possible for the hard work of the students and teachers and blessing of God. This success will encourage the tribal students to do better in future, he added

Workshops on Indo-Swiss bi-Lateral relations/Switzerland

The Embassy of Switzerland New Delhi, in cooperation with KiiT International School, Orissa, conducted interactive sessions on Indo-Swiss bilateral/ Switzerland, on 25th and 26th of June, 2012.

In today's scenario there stands a constant need to be aware of the world and be abreast of its happenings, especially since the world has become a much smaller place, thanks to hi-tech communication. Keeping in mind the fact of boosting general knowledge, in this context on Switzerland, with whom India shares a friendship dating much beyond the 60 plus years recorded officially, a project was conducted for the future decision makers of tomorrow i.e. the students of today, at KiiT International School.

The project comprised of interactive sessions, of duration of app. 2 hours, for app. 50 students, of classes 6, 7 & 8, and we're conducted by Ms. Sarah Baettig, Officer Projects, Events and Education, Embassy of Switzerland New Delhi. The sessions were based on the topics: Indo-Swiss bi-lateral relations/Switzerland and were carried out using varied didactic tools and methodologies, in order to make the learning experience innovative and interactive.

An important objective of this project is also to enable the discovery of similarities and diversities between India and Switzerland, thereby highlighting existing bilateral relations and paving the way for strengthening and expanding the same. The project holds even more significance, since General Knowledge and Geography are important subjects for students, wherein they learn about the world through innovative media.

“RATHAYATRA” celebrated at Shrivani Khetra, KISS

The world famous auspicious occasion of Rath Yatra was celebrated at Shrivani khetra of KISS on 21st June 2012 amid religious fervor and gaiety. More than 30 thousand devotees participated in pulling the three decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra being carried on three colourful wooden chariots, festooned with flowers, appliqué and mural paintings. The Three Chariots are pulled to the Gundicha Temple situated near Sikhar Chandi temple.

The Pahandi and other rituals like Mangala Arati, Mailama,Tadapalagi, Rosha Homi, Abakasha, Surya Puja, Chariots inauguration etc followed by procession of deities from temple sanctum to the chariots began in the morning as per the ethics and rituals of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagganath Temple of Shri Khetra, Puri. Thousands of devotees gathered to pull the three chariots in the afternoon after Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT and KISS performed the holy ritual of cherapahanra, the ceremonial sweeping of the Chariots. The special feature of Ghosayatra here is that, Devadalan, the chariot of Goddess Subhadra was pulled by only females.

Special sculptors from Puri were involved in making the chariots. All rituals were conducted under the guidance of Shri Acharya Pandit Surya Narayan Rathasarma. A few years ago, Shrivani khetra at KISS was set up on the suggestion of Gajapati Maharaja Shri Dibya Singh Dev.

KIIT & KISS Founder Honoured by National Formosa University, Taiwan

The National Formosa University, considered to be one of the best public universities of Taiwan, has conferred the Degree of Doctorate (Honoris Causa) on Achyuta Samanta at its annual convocation ceremony on 9th June 2012. The University awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctorate to Samanta in recognition to his outstanding contribution towards the society and for his initiative to educate the underprivileged tribal children.

The degree is usually given to world personalities across the globe with the conferment of the country’s Parliament. “As Founder of KIIT University and in recognition to your considerable contribution to society through KISS as well as your selfless dedication in improving international relations and global harmony, it is our pleasure to confer upon you the award of Degree of Doctorate (Honoris Causa). National Formosa University reserves this premier award for outstanding personalities to display the exceptional characteristics required of veritable role models for our students, faculty and alumni,” said President of the University Dr. Jenn-Der Lin.

Samanta expressed his gratitude to the University and its authorities and hoped for greater educational cooperation and cultural exchange between Taiwan and India.

On his way back, Samanta delivered a talk on ‘Imbalances and Inequalities’ on a special invitation at the prestigious Stars Symposium in Penglai, China. The Symposium, which was held from 9 – 12 June, 2012, brought together a circle of 150 ‘Leaders of the Next Generation’ from all over the world. He was from India among 30 international speakers invited to deliver talk at the Symposium.

KISS Signs MOU with NALCO Foundation

An MOU was signed between NALCO Foundation and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) on 6th June 2012. The MOU will provide access to quality education to the tribal children residing around 15 kms radius of Mines & Refinery Complex of NALCO, in Koraput District.

Under the agreement NALCO Foundation will sponsor tribal children to KISS Bhubaneswar. The total number of beneficiaries will be above 300 students of which 250 will be sponsored by NALCO Foundation. The MOU is effective for a period of 5 years.

KIIT 5th Among All Pvt. Engg. Colleges of India

KIIT University features among top five private engineering colleges of the country, according to a survey by Mumbai-based Mainline Media. The survey report, which ranks 50 top private engineering colleges of India, has been published on 11th page of The Pioneer in its all editions. It places KIIT University at 5th position, while BITS, Pilani tops the list. As per the survey, KIIT has scored 92 out of 100 in placements, infrastructure and academic. The survey has been conducted among the recruiters, academicians and professionals and is based on brand & reputation of the institutions, the newspaper informed.

Over the years, KIIT University has been getting high ranks in similar national level survey conducted by reputed media organizations like India Today and Outlook. Expressing his satisfaction, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS said it is great achievement for our state that a young University could elevate its name among best five self-financing engineering colleges at national level.

Source: The Pioneer, 6th June 2012. VIEW