suparjya swain 
FEATURE: In the forgotten corners of rural Odisha, where hunger once spoke louder than dreams, a young boy named Achyuta Samanta quietly nurtured a vision. He wasn’t born into privilege, nor did he have access to opportunity. What he had was grief—having lost his father at the age of four—and a life consumed by poverty. For years, the struggle for a single meal and the hope of an education was relentless. But from this crucible of hardship emerged a man who would go on to revolutionize education, social reform, and human dignity—not just in Odisha, but across the world.
Today, Prof. Achyuta Samanta is known across the globe not just as an educator, but as a visionary, a humanitarian, a reformer, and a torchbearer of hope. But his journey from a mud hut in Kalarabanka village to founding two world-renowned institutions—Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS)—is more than an inspiring success story. It is a testament to the power of resilience, purpose, and the belief that education is the greatest equalizer.
“I struggled for food the first 25 years of my life. Now, my struggle is to feed and educate millions,” Prof. Samanta often reflects, reminding the world that true success is not measured by wealth, but by impact.
At the age of 25, with no land, infrastructure, or financial backing—only ₹5000 in hand and an unshakable dream—he founded KIIT in two rented rooms. What began as a tiny technical college in the early ’90s has today blossomed into a multidisciplinary university with over 40,000 students from 65 countries, offering a wide spectrum of programs ranging from engineering to law, medicine to management. It is one of India’s most sought-after private institutions, known for its inclusive model, cutting-edge research, and global partnerships.
But it was KISS that made the world sit up and take notice.
Founded concurrently with KIIT, the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences emerged from a simple yet radical idea: that tribal children, often forgotten and marginalized, deserved the same opportunities as anyone else. Starting with 125 students, KISS today educates over 80,000 tribal children free of cost, providing not just schooling but holistic care—food, healthcare, sports, arts, and vocational training—on a residential campus. It is now the world’s largest free residential education institution for indigenous communities.
KISS maintains a 60% female student ratio and offers instruction in multiple tribal dialects, Odia, English, and Hindi—preserving heritage while preparing students for modern challenges. More than 90% of its graduates go on to pursue higher education; many return to serve their communities, becoming teachers, doctors, and social workers. Nobel Laureates and global leaders—from the Dalai Lama to Kailash Satyarthi—have visited the campus, describing it as a model for the world.
“We have proven those wrong who thought tribal children could not be mainstreamed,” says Dr. Samanta. “Education is the only tool to eradicate poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and superstition.”
Beyond academics, Prof. Samanta’s vision touches nearly every sector of society. He has built Asia’s first smart village—Kalarabanka, his birthplace—now solar-powered and self-sufficient. He has founded medical, dental, and nursing colleges, along with a 2,600-bedded super-specialty hospital that served thousands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, KIIT and KISS designated over 1,100 beds for COVID-19 care and provided food, education, and resources to migrant workers, tribal families, and marginalized groups, including transgenders and sex workers.
Yet, even as he operates at the scale of governments, Prof. Samanta’s life is anchored in humility. He lives in a small rented house, wears simple clothes, owns no personal wealth, and remains unmarried—entirely devoted to his mission. He often quotes his mother’s wisdom: “Be honest. Never humiliate or steal. Don’t be afraid of anyone, no matter who they are.” Her words remain the cornerstone of his life.
Prof. Samanta’s impact has been recognized globally. He holds over 60 honorary doctorates—the most by any Indian—and numerous prestigious awards, including the ISA Award for Service to Humanity from the Kingdom of Bahrain, worth $1 million, and Mongolia’s highest civilian honor. Yet, accolades are not what drive him.
“I never dreamt I could be a champion, but people told me if given a chance, I could,” said Dutee Chand, India’s fastest woman and a KISS alumna. Prof. Samanta discovered her at 17, gave her a platform, and changed her destiny. Today, she is an Olympian and India’s first openly gay athlete, inspiring thousands through her courage and speed.
Through KISS and KIIT, he has also nurtured 23 Olympians, 3 Paralympians, and scores of national-level athletes. For him, sports are not just about medals—they are about discipline, empowerment, and unity.
“Half an education is more harmful than no education,” Prof. Samanta warns. That’s why his model is holistic. From tribal museums that preserve cultural identity, to libraries with over 20,000 titles, to reverse-osmosis water plants and eco-lighting systems—every detail at KISS reflects dignity and sustainability.
Now a Member of Parliament, Prof. Samanta plans to expand KISS to 20 more branches across India, aiming to educate 200,000 tribal children by the end of the decade. His dream is ambitious but not unrealistic—for it comes from a man who has already made the impossible real.
In a world where education is often commercialized and compassion is commodified, Prof. Achyuta Samanta stands out as a rare figure—untouched by ego, driven by purpose, and devoted entirely to the upliftment of the underserved.
His story reminds us that changing the world doesn’t always begin in palaces or parliaments. Sometimes, it starts in the quiet resolve of a hungry child with a dream.
