Bhubaneswar: A day after scripting history by becoming the first contestant from Odisha to win Indian Idol Season 16, KIIT-DU accorded a grand felicitation to its alumna Jyotirmayee Nayak on Monday, celebrating her remarkable achievement with great enthusiasm and pride.
Jyotirmayee received a rousing welcome on her arrival at the KIIT campus, where thousands of students, faculty members and staff greeted her with applause and cheers. She toured the KIIT and KISS campuses, interacting with students and well-wishers who congratulated her on bringing glory to Odisha and the KIIT family.
Addressing the felicitation ceremony, Founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, Dr Achyuta Samanta, described Jyotirmayee’s victory as a historic moment for the nation, Odisha and the KIIT-KISS family. In recognition of her extraordinary achievement, Samanta announced a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for Jyotirmayee.
“Today we have gathered here to celebrate a historic milestone. On July 15, we had assembled here to felicitate Jyotirmayee after she entered the finals of Indian Idol and prayed for her success. Today, she has fulfilled that dream by creating history for India, Odisha and for KIIT and KISS,” he said.
Praising her dedication, Samanta noted that Jyotirmayee had spent nearly 11 months in Mumbai, working tirelessly to perfect her craft before emerging as the winner of India’s biggest singing reality show.
Overwhelmed by the warm reception, Jyotirmayee thanked Samanta, her teachers, friends and the entire KIIT-KISS family for their unstinted support and encouragement throughout her journey. She said the affection she received from everyone at KIIT and KISS had always inspired her to pursue her dreams with confidence and determination.
Jyotirmayee enthralled the audience with soulful performances of popular songs during the occasion. The Indian Idol winner had received the coveted trophy, a Rs 20 lakh cash prize, and a brand-new car in the grand finale held on Sunday.
