Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed-to-be University rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday for alumna Jyotirmayee Nayak, who returned to a hero’s welcome after securing a spot in the Grand Finale of Sony TV’s popular reality show, Indian Idol Season 16.
Jyotirmayee has created history by becoming the first-ever singer from Odisha to reach the Grand Finale of the main Indian Idol competition.
A special Homecoming Celebration was organised on the KIIT campus, where Jyotirmayee visited both the KIIT and KISS campuses and interacted with students, faculty members and staff amid a rousing reception. Her parents were also present to witness the emotional and proud moment.
Addressing the gathering, KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta said Jyotirmayee had made “all of us proud, Odisha proud and India proud.” Describing her as “the most talented singer,” he noted that she has already sung more than 1,000 Odia songs and praised her humility, saying, “Those who are beautiful from inside are truly beautiful. She is the real Jyoti—Jyotirmayee Nayak.”
Samanta thanked her for acknowledging KIIT during her Indian Idol journey and said the entire KIIT-KISS family stood firmly behind her. “You have the blessings of 40,000 KIIT students. Our one lakh family members will vote for you,” he said, appealing to all KIITians to support her in the finale.
Joining as the chief guest, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das congratulated Jyotirmayee for her remarkable achievement and expressed confidence that she would emerge victorious in the Grand Finale. Prof Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT and KISS and several Odia film actors and singers attended the programme and extended their best wishes for the finale.
Overwhelmed by the reception, Jyotirmayee thanked Samanta, the KIIT-KISS family and the people of Odisha for their unwavering support. She shared that singing with Shreya Ghoshal, whom she regards as her idol, had always been her dream. Recalling one of the toughest moments of the competition, she said she had lost her voice during one of her performances but remained determined to continue. “We have to have determination to succeed. It is now or never,” she said, adding that the judges appreciated her ability to overcome adversity and continue performing with confidence.
