KISS Expands Its Footprints to Empower Tribal Youth

DREAM RUNNING KISS

It has become a dream run for
the Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). From a modest
institution on the quest for quality education, nutrition coupled with skill
empowerment, in 1992-93, today it has grown to become a model hub of education,
self-empowerment and a grooming crucible of enablement of tribal boys and girls
in Odisha for the last three decades.

It Is No Mere Feat

More than 40,000 tribal boys and girls have graduated from KISS and are
well-placed in their professional lives, while over 30,000 are currently
pursuing education here. The institute provides holistic education from KG to PG
in a residential setting along with skill training, sports training and all
basic amenities of life absolutely free. It also has the distinction of being
the world’s first and only University exclusively for tribal students.

The KISS model of empowerment has been accepted, appreciated and aspired to be
emulated by many policymakers, statesmen and states. Many UN organs, agencies
and International NGOs from India and the world have collaborated with KISS for
different kinds of programmes over the years. Like a poll star, the success of
KISS has created a demand for opening its satellite centres so that the
dispersed tribal populace of Odisha and its neighbouring states can have access
to quality education close to their native land, which in most cases, is
isolated and geographically inaccessible.

Obviously the man behind the making, expansion and development of KISS is trying
his level best to establish satellite centres of KISS in different districts of
Odisha to fulfill the needs of the disadvantaged tribal children.

Helmed by eminent educationist and social activist Dr. Achyuta Samanta, whose
vision of no child being deprived of access to education makes him passionately
work towards expanding the footprint of KISS so that more and more tribal
students can avail the advantage of this unique model that provides education
and still does not lose focus on preserving, protecting and promoting rich
tribal heritage and culture.

State-of-the-art eco-friendly campuses with world-class infrastructure, smart
classrooms wearing a tribal look and feel, had come up in Baripada and Balangir.
The inauguration of the Balasore and Kalahandi branches, though ready for
functioning, was postponed for two years due to the pandemic. All the branches
have been inaugurated by Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, the
latest being Balasore on the 13th of June and Kalahandi on the 17th of June.
There are new branches of KISS coming up in the near future in Cuttack, Boudh,
Kandhamal and Keonjhar. Land has been purchased for satellite centres in Puri,
Ganjam and Koraput and the foundation will be laid soon.

Unending Pursuits

All the satellite centres are based on the same concept as KISS Bhubaneswar –
fully free residential school with vocational empowerment and sports training.

“Thousands of students will get a new lease of life through KISS. They will be
able to earn for themselves and their families, and break the shackles of
intergenerational poverty. Under the leadership and guidance of KISS
Bhubaneswar, these satellite branches will flourish well and will supplement the
efforts at providing quality education to the children at the margins, close to
their homes. It is a milestone for the empowerment of tribals in India,” said Dr
Achyuta Samanta.

Media Contact:
Dr. Shradhanjali Nayak
director.pr@kiit.ac.in

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1844000/KISS.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1507512/KISS_Logo.jpg

Source: KISS