Achyuta Samanta

Amb. @manojifs & @achyuta_samanta, Founder of @KIITUniversity & @kissfoundation,interacted with visiting students in a vibrant academic & cultural exchange.Students shared their experience at Shakespeare Festival in Craiova-the first-ever participation of 20 students from Odisha.

73rd Honorary Doctorate Deeply humbled to receive my 73rd Honorary Doctorate from the University of Craiova, Romania, one of the oldest, largest and most respected public universities, established in 1947. This honour was conferred after careful consideration of my work and achievements during the last 30 years in education, research, social inclusion and service to humanity, and after approval through different academic committees and finally by the Senate of the University. This honour will remain very special in my heart. I have received many recognitions in different parts of the world, but this is the first time I received an Honorary Doctorate on a foreign land in the presence of my lovable KIIT & KISS students. Seeing them there, far away from Odisha, doubled my happiness. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the University of Craiova, its leadership, Hon’ble Rector, President, Senate and all respected members for this love, honour and recognition. KIIT & KISS are two institutions born from the soil of Odisha. Today, when they carry the message of education, tribal empowerment, compassion and inclusion to the world, I feel very happy that the small work started 30 years ago is bringing pride to the soil of Odisha.

Happy and humbled to receive such a warm and grand welcome at the University of Craiova, Romania. On my arrival, I was welcomed by my 20 lovable KIIT and KISS students, who performed our traditional tribal dance, just like they do at KISS. Though I was far away from Odisha, for a moment I felt I was at home among my own children. It was a very touching moment for me. I was also honoured in the presence of the Hon’ble Mayor of Craiova, Deputy Mayor, provincial leadership, mayors and vice mayors of nearby cities, councillors and officials, along with the gracious presence of the Hon’ble Ambassador of India to Romania. Such love and respect from the dignitaries and from my students is not for me alone. It is for the work of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, and for the journey of education, service and humanity carried forward for the last 30 years. It gives me immense happiness that 10 students from KIIT and 10 students from KISS are here under the Erasmus+ KA171 Student Mobility Programme, learning, performing and representing India at the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova. For two months, they are getting a beautiful opportunity to understand a new culture, new people and a new academic environment.

Happy to share that KIIT has taken another small but meaningful step towards global cooperation and service. During my visit to Bonn, Germany, KIIT signed two important MoUs with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). We had fruitful discussions with the leadership of the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) regarding the Special Voluntary collaboration. This will give our students and young people more opportunity to serve, learn and understand the world through volunteerism. It gives me happiness that KIIT is the first university in South Asia to open such a path with UNV for youth volunteering opportunities. I also feel happy that KIIT’s MoU with the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), through the Nelson Mandela Global Academy for Social Change, will create opportunities for young leaders to learn about social change, leadership, dialogue and service to society. For me, education is not only about knowledge. It is about compassion, responsibility and service to humanity. I am thankful to UNV and UNSSC for their faith in KIIT. I hope these MoUs will open new doors for many young people, including my lovable KIITians and KISSians, to learn from global platforms and serve society with a good heart. @UNVolunteers @UNV_India @UNSSC

On International Day for Biological Diversity, let us remember that every tree, bird, animal and small living being has a role in keeping our planet healthy. Protecting biodiversity is protecting our own future. Let us care for nature with love and responsibility.

I feel very happy to share that KIIT is hosting the 17th KIIT International Chess Festival 2026 from 23rd to 30th May at the Viswanathan Anand International Chess Hall, KIIT. This year, the festival will have India’s highest prize pool of ₹1.31 crore. We are expecting more than 3,000 registered participants from nearly 40 countries, including more than 85 international title holders, 25 Grandmasters and 50 International Masters. This year, we are also hopeful of creating an India record through this grand participation. I am happy that so many players are coming to KIIT with great expectations. At KIIT, we have always tried to provide good hospitality, proper facilities and complete support to every participant, so that they can play with comfort and confidence. I am also happy that leading players from Odisha, including WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty, WGM Padmini Rout and IM Sambit Panda, will participate and inspire many young chess players of our state. Chess teaches patience, discipline, thinking and concentration. I believe this festival will give good exposure and opportunity to many young players of Odisha and India. My sincere thanks to FIDE, AICF, Odisha Chess Association, all players, officials and everyone associated with this grand chess festival. My best wishes to all the participants.

On International Tea Day, my good wishes to all. It reminds us of the hard work of our farmers, tea garden workers and all those who bring this simple gift of nature to every home. Tea has been my favourite since childhood. It is a small part of our daily life, but it brings people together with warmth and affection. A cup of tea has its own place in every home, office and journey.

Heartiest congratulations to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji on being conferred the FAO Agricola Medal and receiving the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. A proud moment for India. My prayers for his good health and continued service to the nation.

Honoured to receive the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This honour is dedicated to the people of India and is a tribute to the enduring friendship between India and Norway. It reflects our shared commitment to global progress.

Happy to share that my lovable KISS children have done very well in the +2 CHSE examinations this year. A total of 1,847 students from KISS appeared in the examination, and 98% of them passed. Most of the students secured first division in Arts, Commerce and Science. Five students each in Arts and Commerce scored above 90%, while seven students in Science secured above 90%. I am also happy that our girl students have once again performed better than the boys. Most of our children come from very remote tribal communities, where getting higher education is still not easy. At KISS, they are studying, growing and building their future through education. This gives me real happiness. Year after year, our tribal children are proving that with care, proper guidance, discipline and hard work, they can do very well in life. My heartfelt congratulations to all my lovable KISSians, faculty members and staff of KISS for this success.

Among all the 13th Anniversary of Art of Giving Day celebrations happening in many parts of the world, I felt special happiness to see Art of Giving being celebrated at The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative of CUNY CREST, a research centre opened in my name at the City University of New York (CUNY), USA. I never thought in my life that a small thought of giving, which came from my own struggle, would one day reach such a respected institution in America. My sincere thanks to the students, faculty, staff and all friends there for celebrating Art of Giving with so much love and respect. My special thanks to Hon’ble Consul Shri Tsewang Gyaltson Ji, Consulate General of India, New York, and Dr Milton Santiago, President, Bronx Community College, CUNY, for their kind presence, support and good wishes. This affection gives me more strength to continue working for society. Art of Giving is only about peace, happiness, friendship and harmony. My good wishes to all. @CUNY @BCCcuny

🌱 Youth in action for a sustainable future! 🇮🇳 @KIITUniversity, the first university in South Asia to turn sustainability goals into concrete action, has teamed up with @UNVolunteers to empower youth inclusion. In 2024, 12 #Indians were fully funded for UN University Volunteer assignments, amplifying youth voices where they matter most. unvolunteers.exposure.co/first-universi…

VIDEO | Bhubaneswar: Educationalist Achyuta Samanta led the 13th International Art of Giving Day celebrations. He says, "I'm so happy to say that the small seed I planted 13 years ago has become a huge banyan tree. People are celebrating and in true sense, 2.5 crore or 25 millions people have been impacted through this Art of Giving."

I am deeply saddened to know about the passing away of Shri @Leander Paes Ji’s mother. Mother is the greatest strength in everyone’s life, and losing her is a very painful moment. My heartfelt condolences to Leander Ji and his family. I pray to god to give them strength and peace during this difficult time. May the departed soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.

Today, on the 13th Anniversary of the International Day of Art of Giving, I feel very happy to see the love and participation of people across the world. This year, Art of Giving was celebrated at 50,000 locations across 6 continents and over 190 countries. In India, it was celebrated in all prominent cities, and in Odisha alone, it reached 20,000 locations. Internationally, celebrations were held in around 1,000 places and cities. I also feel happy that through the support of FIDE and FIVB, the message of Art of Giving reached their member countries. This year, more than 50 lakh people participated, and over 25 million people were impacted through different activities of giving, sharing, service and kindness. I am also happy that we have set a Best of India Records for Most Volleyball Sets Distributed over Three Days. As part of this, 9,006 volleyballs and 3,002 nets were distributed at 3,002 locations across India. This will encourage many young children and youth to play, stay healthy and grow with discipline. Art of Giving started as a simple thought from my life. Today, seeing it spread so widely gives me inner happiness. My heartfelt thanks to all my fan-followers, well-wishers, volunteers, office bearers, institutions, sports bodies and every person who celebrated Art of Giving in their own way. Let us continue to Share to Shine and spread peace, happiness, friendship and harmony. Happy International Day of Art of Giving.

Today, on the 13th Anniversary of the International Day of Art of Giving, I feel very happy and blessed. Art of Giving came from my own life and from the simple thought that whatever little we have, we can still share with others. Today, this simple thought has reached over 190 countries, all states of India and every district, town and panchayat of Odisha, impacting over 25 million people worldwide. This is only because of the love of my fan-followers, well-wishers and all people who believe in giving. This year’s theme is Share to Shine. When we share food, time, knowledge, love or even a small help, someone becomes happy and we also shine from inside. This is the real happiness of life. On this day, my humble request to everyone: give something to someone in your own simple way. Let us spread peace, happiness, friendship and harmony through Art of Giving. My good wishes to all. Happy International Day of Art of Giving.

On the eve of the International Day of Art of Giving, three girls came to meet me and expressed their gratitude. They were earlier staying in an orphanage centre at Satyabhamapur, Odisha. When I had come to know about their life and difficulties, I got them admitted in our institute and arranged free education, accommodation and food for them. Today, these three girls have completed Diploma Engineering and have also got campus placements. Now they are going to start their own independent life. Seeing them like this gives me so much happiness. Making one child a good human being and helping her stand in life is not easy. But the happiness we get from it is hundred times more than the difficulty. Today, on the eve of Art of Giving, these three daughters gave me that real happiness. My best wishes are always with them.

This is the result of Art of Giving and doing good work for people with a pure heart. I felt very happy to meet my dear friend Mr Jonathan Granoff, President, Global Security Institute, USA, again during my visit to Montana, USA. He had recently visited KIIT & KISS and had seen our work and the philosophy of Art of Giving very closely. I felt humbled that he came all the way from New York to Montana just to meet me and say a few kind words about our work at the evening gathering. When work is done with love, sincerity and service, people remember it with affection. Mr Granoff is a very respected person and a good human being with a kind heart. My sincere thanks to him for his love, affection and good wishes for KIIT, KISS, KIMS and Art of Giving.

Happy to share that my lovable KISS student Jadunath Majhi has been selected in the T-11 category to represent Odisha in the 8th Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship 2026, to be held from 25th to 28th May 2026. Jadunath will participate in 400m, 1500m and 5000m events. This championship is also very important as it will serve as a qualification and ranking event for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. My best wishes to them. May they perform well and bring pride to KISS, Odisha and India.

I feel very happy to share that a special Art of Giving song, sung by renowned singer Shri Shaan Ji, will be released on 17th May on the occasion of the 13th Anniversary of International Day of Art of Giving. Art of Giving is a small philosophy, but it gives so much happiness. This song carries the same feeling of love, kindness, sharing and humanity. My heartfelt thanks to Shri Shaan Ji and Durdarshini Digital for joining this noble thought through music. Let us all celebrate 17th May by doing at least one small act of giving. #ArtOfGiving #ShareToShine