Bhubaneswar: The KIIT Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to four distinguished guests — Founder and Chairman of Columbia Hospitality (USA) John Oppenheimer, Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple (Colombo) Dr Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero; Director of The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd and Director on Board of Press Trust of India K.N. Shanth Kumar, and Master of Tibetan Buddhism and Spiritual Director of the Ripa International Center (Switzerland) Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche – on the occasion of KIIT DU’s 22nd Foundation Day.
In a special lecture organised on Monday, Oppenheimer shared that a visit to KIIT left him deeply moved. “The campus is beyond our imagination. You are creating a lasting impact here. Advising students of KIIT DU he said, don’t underestimate the contributions you are making to this society. You have an opportunity to contribute to your communities, family, country, and to the world in a very significant way. Students should follow their own hearts. Because it keeps you connected to your purpose. It makes decisions easier. If you follow your heart, decisions get so much easier,” Oppenheimer said.
Media veteran K.N. Shanth Kumar said KIIT is “more than a story of institutions… It is a story of vision.”
Speaking from over four decades in journalism, Kumar said while the media landscape has changed dramatically, the fundamentals remain constant. “Today, news breaks every minute. But truth, credibility, verification and ethical storytelling remain the bedrock of journalism,” he said. “Virtue belongs to those who combine technology with integrity.”
Dr Thero described the day as a ‘spiritual reunion of history.’
“I have visited many countries. I have seen many institutions, but I have rarely seen an organisation that combines compassion, discipline, humanity and vision in this manner,” he said.
Gyetrul Rinpoche praised KIIT & KISS founder Dr Samanta.
“There are many who reach success. But very few remain humble. To me, that is true success. Dr Samanta embodies the fact that you can be successful and kind at the same time.”
In his welcome address, Samanta looked back at the journey, saying “whatever we have achieved since then belongs to the staff, the students of KIIT, KISS and KIMS… This is their success.”
