Chitta Ranjan Sahoo

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I have seen poverty from very close quarters, and I have also seen how literacy and education can give a child confidence, dignity and a new future.

That is why I have always believed, “Education is the third eye of a child.”

For nearly 35 years, I have tried in my own small way to fight poverty through education. On International Literacy Day, my good wishes to everyone working to take education to every child and every home.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to welcome Mr Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India Limited, to our KIIT & KISS campuses today. He brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across Nestlé, Amazon India and Unilever.

I was happy that he could visit both campuses and see closely the work being done here. His kind appreciation for our efforts, especially the journey of KISS and its work for tribal children through education, was very encouraging for me.

My sincere thanks to Mr Tiwary for taking the time to be with us and for his warm words. It was a pleasure to have him at KIIT & KISS.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy and honoured to welcome Padma Bhushan Param Pujya Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji to our KIIT & KISS campuses today.

Didi Maa spent a good amount of time at KISS, went around the campus, saw the facilities and interacted with our lovable KISSians. She told us that she had heard about KISS earlier, but seeing the work with her own eyes and at such a large scale made her very happy and surprised.

Her words touched me deeply because Didi Maa herself has been doing wonderful work for children, women and society through Vatsalyagram for many years.

When someone who has devoted her own life to service appreciates our small effort at KISS, it gives me great encouragement.

My sincere respect and gratitude to Param Pujya Didi Maa Ji for her blessings, kind words and affection for our children.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy to welcome Dr Lobsang Sangay, faculty member at Harvard Law School, to our KIIT & KISS campuses today.

He addressed the students of KIIT School of Law on the important theme “Law, Ethics and Political Leadership”. For our young law students, such interactions are very meaningful, as they get an opportunity to learn from people who have experienced law, leadership and public life closely.

I was also happy that Dr Sangay could spend time at KIIT & KISS and interact with our students. His visit and words of encouragement made the occasion very special for us.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy and proud that four of my lovable KISSians have been selected to represent India at the Asia Rugby Emirates U-18 Sevens 2026 in Qingdao, China.

For young players, an opportunity like this can become a turning point in life. I know how much discipline, hard work and patience goes behind reaching this stage. I wish all four of them a wonderful tournament. Enjoy the game, play your natural game and return with good memories and greater confidence.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Heartiest congratulations to Team @ISRO on the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, which has been successfully placed into its intended orbit from Sriharikota today.

EOS-05 will further strengthen India’s Earth observation capabilities and support important applications including agriculture, environmental monitoring and disaster management.

Another proud achievement by our scientists and engineers, taking India’s space journey further ahead. Best wishes to the entire ISRO family for many more successes.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all teachers.

A teacher’s guidance, care and encouragement can shape a life forever. Their contribution goes far beyond the classroom and helps build confidence, values and character in every generation.

I pay my humble tributes to Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary.

My special wishes to all the teachers of our KIIT, KISS & KIMS family, and to teachers everywhere for their dedication and service to society.

Happy Teachers’ Day.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to everyone.

May Lord Shri Krishna bless all of us with peace, happiness and strength, and guide us to do our duty with sincerity and a good heart.

Wishing everyone a blessed and joyful Janmashtami.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

We were honoured to welcome Smt. Vijaya K. Rahatkar, Hon’ble Chairperson, National Commission for Women, to our KIIT & KISS campuses today.

She spent time at KISS, visited different facilities and interacted closely with our lovable KISSians. I was especially happy to see her engaging with our girl students, listening to them with affection and encouraging them to dream big and move ahead with confidence.

Her appreciation for KISS and for the confidence and aspirations of our children meant a lot to us.

I am grateful to Smt. Rahatkar Ji for her visit, her kind words and the affection she showed towards our children.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Coconut has always been very close to my heart. I was born and brought up with coconut as a part of my everyday life, and even today, I remain very fond of coconut, coconut water and different coconut products.

When my father passed away, I was only four years old. Among the few things he left behind for our family were 30–40 coconut trees. In those difficult days, these trees became a great support for us. We sold coconuts and brooms made from coconut leaves to manage our household expenses and support the education and other needs of our eight-member family. During cyclones, when we sometimes had hardly anything to eat, the fallen coconuts also became our food.

So, for me, coconut is not just a fruit or a tree. It is connected with my childhood, my struggle and my survival. Even today, I love consuming coconut and coconut water and continue to use coconut products in my daily life. Perhaps that childhood connection has remained with me all these years.

On World Coconut Day, my respect and good wishes to all coconut farmers and everyone whose life and livelihood are connected with this wonderful tree.

Happy World Coconut Day!

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Ada E. Yonath, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2009, one of the world’s great scientists.

I fondly remember her visit to KIIT & KISS in 2016, when she delivered the 8th JBS Haldane Lecture at KIIT and spent time with our children at KISS. She was very impressed by KISS and its scale, and her encouraging words for our children remain a cherished memory for us.

Her pioneering work on the structure and function of the ribosome made an extraordinary contribution to science and medicine.

My heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues at the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the global scientific community.

May her soul rest in peace.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to meet some of my lovable KISSian alumni who have made their mark in sports, as they came to greet me on National Sports Day.

Many of them came to KISS as young children and, with education, training and hard work, went on to represent Odisha and India at different levels.

For me, there can be no greater happiness than seeing my KISSians grow, achieve and build their own identity through sports.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

On National Sports Day, I feel very happy to share a glimpse of the sporting journey of KIIT & KISS.

Sports have always been very close to my heart. Over the years, we have tried to give our students the best facilities, training, encouragement and opportunities so that talent never goes unnoticed.

Today, seeing our KIITians and KISSians represent Odisha and India at national and international platforms gives me immense satisfaction. From our young tribal sportspersons to our international athletes, every achievement makes the entire KIIT & KISS family proud.

We will continue to promote sports and support every young talent who dreams of achieving something for the country.

My best wishes to all our sportspersons and coaches on National Sports Day.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to celebrate National Sports Day 2026 at KIIT & KISS with our sportspersons, coaches and the entire sports family.

This year is special as National Sports Day is being observed across the country for three days. The inspiring words of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji have given further strength to India’s sporting dreams, including our aspirations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.

At KIIT & KISS, sports have been an important part of our journey for more than two decades. Today, we have 20 world-class sports complexes and have nurtured more than 6,000 sportspersons. I feel proud that KIIT & KISS have produced 24 Olympians, 4 Paralympians, 14 Arjuna Awardees and a Khel Ratna Awardee, while more than 300 of our athletes have represented India at major international sporting events. KIIT was also honoured with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2022 for its contribution to the promotion of sports.

We will continue to give our sportspersons and coaches every possible support so that more young talents can represent the country and win medals for India.

Let us all work together towards a stronger sporting nation and the vision of Viksit Kreeda Bharat.

Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat!

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Tributes to the legendary Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, observed across the country as National Sports Day.

His life and achievements continue to inspire generations of sportspersons. Sports have always been very close to my heart, and I strongly believe they build discipline, confidence and character in our youth.

My best wishes to all our players, coaches and young sporting talents across India.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to know that my dear Aditya attended the special Freedom 250 gathering in Hyderabad and presented my book, My Mother My Hero, to H.E. Ambassador Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador to India.

My sincere gratitude to Ambassador Sergio Gor and the Consul General for their kind gesture and encouragement. India and the United States share a very special relationship, and I am happy to see this friendship growing stronger.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

विश्वसंस्कृतदिवसस्य हार्दिकाः शुभकामनाः।

संस्कृतं केवलं भाषा न, अपितु भारतस्य ज्ञानस्य, दर्शनस्य, संस्कृतेश्च अमूल्यः निधिः अस्ति। अस्माकं प्राचीनज्ञानपरम्परायाः संरक्षणे संस्कृतस्य महत्त्वपूर्णं स्थानम् अस्ति।

मम विश्वासः अस्ति यत् नूतनपीढी संस्कृतभाषां ज्ञात्वा अस्माकं समृद्धां सांस्कृतिकपरम्परां अधिकं समीपतः अनुभवितुं शक्नोति।

संस्कृतं पठामः, संस्कृतं रक्षामः, संस्कृतं वर्धयामः।

Warm greetings on World Sanskrit Day.

Sanskrit is not merely a language; it is an invaluable treasure of India’s knowledge, philosophy and cultural heritage. It has played an important role in preserving our ancient traditions of learning and thought.

I believe that by encouraging the younger generation to learn and understand Sanskrit, we can bring them closer to the richness of our cultural and intellectual heritage.

Let us learn Sanskrit, preserve Sanskrit and help it flourish.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Deeply saddened to know about the devastating floods in Nepal, which have caused the loss of many precious lives and immense suffering.

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the safety of all those who are still missing and for the speedy recovery of the injured.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କୃଷିଭିତ୍ତିକ ପର୍ବ ଗହ୍ମାପୂର୍ଣିମା ଓ ପବିତ୍ର ରକ୍ଷାବନ୍ଧନ ଅବସରରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ! ଏହି ଅନନ୍ୟ ବନ୍ଧନ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଜୀବନକୁ ସୁଖ, ଶାନ୍ତି ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧିରେ ଭରିଦେଉ।
—ଏହା ହିଁ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା। ସମସ୍ତ ଭାଇ-ଭଉଣୀଙ୍କୁ ରକ୍ଷାବନ୍ଧନର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା।

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy and proud that five of my lovable KISSians have been selected to represent India in the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2026 in Suzhou, China.

For me, it is always a special feeling to see our tribal boys and girls wear the India jersey and compete on the international stage.

My heartiest congratulations and blessings to all five of them. Give your best, play with confidence and make India, Odisha and the entire KIIT & KISS family proud.