Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar has been conferred with the UNESCO International Literacy Prize 2022.
The prize carries an endowment of US$ 20,000, a medal and a citation. It was given away at a global award ceremony organised by UNESCO in Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.
KISS is the fifth recipient from India and the first and only institute from Odisha to receive the highest global recognition on literacy. It is also the third among the Indian non-profit NGOs and the first Indian tribal-based organisation to be conferred with this award.
The UNESCO prize for KISS was announced by KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta during the celebration of International Literacy Day at the KISS campus.
KISS is a fully free residential education institution. Founded by Dr Samanta, a well-known educationist and social activist, it provides scope for comprehensive development, vocational and sports empowerment for 70,000 tribal children.
Starting with 125 students in 1993, it has become the world’s largest educational institution for tribal children. KISS has collaborations with various UN bodies and international organisations. It has been in special consultative status with ECOSOC since 2015, affiliated to the UN Department of Public Information.
