Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has come in for praise from Members of Parliament during the discussion on Central Universities (Amendment) Bill 2023 in Lok Sabha on December 7.
Pointing out the initiatives of Odisha government, Brahmapur MP Chandrashekar Sahu of Biju Janata Dal cited the model of KISS, which is home to 80,000 tribal children who are provided holistic education, boarding, healthcare, vocational and sports empowerment at a fully free residential school from kindergarten to post-graduation and beyond.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former Union minister and current MP from Bihar’s Saran, recounted his visit to KISS and once again appreciated the work of KIIT & KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, congratulating him for the phenomenal work in empowering tribal children.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of Opposition, also mentioned the work of KISS and hailed it as a pioneering concept.
Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the example cited by other MPs while lauding the KISS model.
“Such recognition helps me to continue with great enthusiasm. The KISS model has been appreciated across party lines and something happening in Telangana, Odisha is being cited. This is a moment of pride for KISS, Odisha, and all of India. A small effort of mine has become such a huge revolution that it is now being quoted, cited as an example, and followed by all, that too on the floor of the House — truly an honour for me. I am humbled and dedicate all recognition to the students and staff of KISS and KIIT and our stakeholders and well-wishers,” said Dr Samanta.
Earlier, Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and senior MP from Madhya Pradesh, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla recognised and appreciated the initiative of Dr Samanta.