ENARADA, Bhubaneshwar, February 2, 2014:
Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) organized a mega guardians’ meet today. More than 50,000 people, all parents and guardians of tribal students of KISS, attended the meet. They got a firsthand experience of the institute where their wards are studying during the day long programme.
Assembly of such a large number of tribals representing 62 tribes and 13 primitive tribal communities from all corners of Odisha and other states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Assam, is one of its kind. Like every year, KISS authorities made elaborate arrangements to greet the parents in this mega assembly. These arrangements included their food, shelter and transport.
Parents and guardians attending the meet expressed their profound gratitude to Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS for securing the future of their children through KISS, which provides education from KG to PG, vocational training, food, accommodation and all other basic necessities of life absolutely free of cost to 20,000 tribal children. They were satisfied to see that their children are getting education and care at par with any good public school in a beautiful environment. On the other hand they expressed their unhappiness; as such a large institute in world is managing by only one person Dr. A. Samanta, where there is no support from state or central government to this institute. On the occasion a guardian committee, which is being formed to support KISS and its students unite to appeal government on different difficulties of KISS.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Samanta advised them that only education can ensure a dignified life to them, the traditional way of living is now impossible due to lack of natural resources. Ms. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary KISS, Dr. P. K. Routaray, CEO, KISS and Mr. P. K. Das, Livelihood Director, KISS also spoke on the occasion. As many as 50 guardians of KISS students, who are high achievers, were felicitated.
