KISS to have branch at Rourkela soon

The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) would open a branch here soon, said KISS founder and Rajya Sabha member Dr Achyuta Samanta.

Samanta stated this while being felicitated by about 120 organisations at the RIMS Auditorium here on Saturday.  “The new campus of KISS will start in Rourkela soon; and 1,500 to 2,000 students will be imparted free education,” he said.

He opined that one should keep in mind that what he was, what he is and what he should be to prosper in life. He also shared his experiences in setting up the KIIT University and the KISS.

Among others, RIMS Chairperson Nalini Prava Pattanaik was present. Dr Pravat Mallick coordinated the programme and former MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak delivered a vote of thanks.

Prior to this, Samanta had attended the Lions Club International District Meet at the Bhanja Bhawan Auditorium. Here, he opined that education is the only means that can combat poverty and starvation. Despite all odds in his childhood, he had never ignored the study, Samanta said.

Samanta said his father died while he was only four-year-old and his eight-member family led a very miserable life since then. Since then he had a feeling that only through education one can beat all odds. That is why he started KIIT and KISS with a paltry amount of Rs 5,000.

Initially, the KISS had only 125 students, but now the students’ strength is more than 27,000, Samanta said. He further informed that 13,000 KISS students are now settled in different corners of the world.

In the morning, Samanta was also felicitated at Bonai by the tribal community of the area.