Bhubaneswar, India (ots/PRNewswire) – KISS on track for success
It’s been a dream run for the Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). From a humble institution in search of quality education, nutrition coupled with skill development in 1992 and ’93, it has become an exemplary center for education, self-empowerment and a successful crucible for empowerment of indigenous boys and girls in the eastern Indian state of Odisha over the last three decades.
No mere feat
More than 40,000 indigenous boys and girls have graduated from KISS and are integrated into the workforce, while over 30,000 are currently pursuing education here. The institute provides holistic education from KG to PG in a residential setting. Education, sports training and all the basic amenities of life are absolutely free. The institute is also the world’s first and only university exclusively for indigenous students.
The KISS model of skill development has been adopted, appreciated and sought by many politicians, statesmen and countries. Many UN agencies, organizations and international NGOs from India and around the world have collaborated with KISS on various programs over the years. Like a star, the success of KISS has led to a demand for opening more facilities so that the dispersed indigenous population of Odisha and its neighboring states can have access to quality education close to their homes, most of which are isolated and geographically inaccessible.
The man behind the making, expansion and development of KISS is of course trying his best to set up more branches of KISS in different districts of Odisha to meet the needs of the disadvantaged indigenous children.
It is headed by eminent educationist and social activist Dr. Achyuta Samanta, whose vision that no child should be denied access to education drives him to work passionately to expand the presence of KISS. His goal is for more and more indigenous students to take advantage of this unique model that provides education while still maintaining a focus on preserving, protecting and promoting rich tribal heritage and culture.
State-of-the-art, eco-friendly education centers with world-class infrastructure and elegant classrooms with tribal look and feel have been built in Baripada and Balangir. The inauguration of Balasore and Kalahandi branches, already operational, was postponed by two years due to the pandemic. All the branches were inaugurated by Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, recently in Balasore on June 13 and in Kalahandi on June 17. New branches of the KISS will be established in Cuttack, Boudh, Kandhamal and Keonjhar in the near future. Land has been purchased for the satellite centers in Puri, Ganjam and Koraput and the foundation stone will be laid soon.
Endless efforts
All satellite centers are based on the same concept as KISS in Bhubaneswar: a completely free boarding school with vocational training and sports education.
“Thousands of students will get a new life through KISS. They will be able to support themselves and their families and finally throw off the shackles of generational poverty. Under the leadership of KISS Bhubaneswar, these satellite branches will thrive and complement efforts to provide quality education to poor children close to home. It is a milestone for the empowerment of indigenous people in India,” emphasized Dr. Achyuta Samanta.
Media Contact:
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