Himansu Das

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

4 Special Honours at the 45th World Congress of Poets in Europe.

Happy and humbled to receive four special honours for my lifelong service to humanity through education and social work. These were conferred during the 45th World Congress of Poets in Europe —the ‘Mother Teresa Award’, ‘Professor Honoris Causa’ from AAB University College, ‘Recognition from the City of Peja’ and the ‘Medal of the President of the World Congress of Poets’. Our representative received the honours on my behalf.

The World Congress of Poets, held under the auspices of the World Academy of Arts and Culture, has brought poets and writers from across the world together since 1969. Its message of ‘Brotherhood and Peace through Poetry’ makes this international gathering very special.

Each honour means a lot to me. The Mother Teresa Award is especially close to my heart, as her life of compassion and service to the poor continues to inspire humanity. I have also tried, in my own small way, to give education, dignity and hope to those who need it most.

My sincere thanks to WAAC, WCP, AAB University College, the City of Peja and everyone associated with the Congress. I share this happiness with my entire KIIT, KISS & KIMS family.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Another honour that gives me much happiness. Humbled to receive the ‘Education Philanthropic Award’ from FIDE, the International Chess Federation, at its Summit on Chess in Education in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 24 September 2026, with participants from over 120 member countries. The summit was held alongside the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad and Congress. My Dear Aditya received the award on my behalf.

I am also happy that FIDE, KIIT and KISS have signed an MoU to expand our Chess in Education initiatives. This follows the FIDE Global Conference on Chess in Society and Education, which we co-hosted at KIIT in January, and the teacher preparation programme held at KISS in August.

I have always wanted our children to have every opportunity to learn and grow through education and sports. This collaboration will help more of my lovable KIITians and KISSians learn and enjoy chess.

My sincere thanks to Interim President Mr Viswanathan Anand, Acting Chair Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola and the entire FIDE family for this honour and for supporting our efforts to bring chess to more children.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I am very happy and deeply honoured to receive two special honours from two beautiful cities of Romania—Milișăuți and Bârlad.

I was conferred the Honorary Citizenship of Milișăuți. I was also honoured by the Municipality of Bârlad with the prestigious title, “Key to the City of Bârlad”, a very special honour, symbolising that the doors of Bârlad will always remain open to me.

It was a very special moment for me to receive these honours from the respected Mayors in the presence of the council members and many eminent people. I accept them with all humility as recognition of my lifelong service to education, humanity and society.

I am grateful to the Honourable Ambassador of India to Romania for being present on both occasions. My heartfelt thanks to the Mayors and all the council members of the municipalities of Milișăuți and Bârlad for their warmth, affection and respect.

I will always cherish the love and honour given to me by the people of Romania.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I was deeply touched by the warm welcome I received in Milișăuți, Romania.

Despite the rain, so many little children waited to welcome the Honourable Ambassador of India to Romania and me. More than seven groups of little children presented beautiful dances, songs and music. Their performances touched my heart.

I feel deeply honoured to have received the Honorary Citizenship of Milișăuți and the “Key to the City of Bârlad”. The love and warmth I received in both cities will always remain close to my heart.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

Peace begins with equality. When every child has access to education, dignity, opportunity and a sense of belonging, they learn that differences need not divide us.

At KISS, every child is encouraged to learn, grow, respect one another and dream without limits, building the foundations of a more inclusive and peaceful world.

[KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology @KIITUniversity]

Registration Deadline Extended!

The registration deadline for the 22nd Annual Convocation of KIIT Deemed to be University has been extended to 17 September 2026.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements, memories, and new beginnings of the 2026 graduating batch from 3–5 October 2026.

Register now and be a part of this milestone celebration.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Yesterday evening was very special as I joined the Ganesh Puja celebration at the Ambani family residence, Antilia, in Mumbai, on the kind invitation of Smt. Nita Ambani Ji.

In the midst of the Puja and so many guests, Nita Ji, Mukesh Ji and Anant Ji personally took time out to receive me and spend time with me. We had a warm interaction and discussed several things close to our hearts.

During the evening, I spent a few minutes interacting with Anant Ambani Ji and found him to be very warm, humble and wonderful, despite the stature he holds.

I have always admired their simplicity, warmth and respect for people. I am very grateful to the entire Ambani family for their love and respect for my work. The evening was special with the darshan and blessings of Ganpati Bappa.

[KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology @KIITUniversity]

We at KIIT came together to celebrate Ganesh Puja in the true spirit of community, culture and togetherness.

Across the campus, the festive spirit was beautifully reflected through traditional rituals, vibrant decorations and the enthusiastic participation of our students, faculty and staff. It was a celebration that brought together people from different backgrounds, united by the joy of a shared tradition.

As we seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha, may we be blessed with wisdom in every pursuit, strength in every challenge and success in every new beginning.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

Glimpses from the Ganesh Puja celebrations at KISS - a beautiful day of devotion, togetherness and new beginnings.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

At KISS, we celebrate Hindi, a language that brings diverse voices together and keeps our stories and traditions alive.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

Wishing everyone a blessed Ganesh Chaturthi, filled with wisdom and new beginnings.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

27 November will now be observed globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, as declared by the United Nations.

For KISS, this recognition is especially meaningful. For years, KISS has worked to prevent early marriage through education, residential support, community awareness and by helping tribal girls continue into higher education and become independent.

Since 2022, the KISS–Jhpiego partnership has strengthened this work further through peer education, tribal languages and traditional art forms, in support of the larger spirit of Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, launched by the Government of India on 27 November 2024.

The impact is visible in individual lives too. One KISSian girl from Mayurbhanj district, herself a survivor of child marriage, is now pursuing higher education at KISS-DU and creating awareness against the same practice in her community.

Today, many KISSian girls are completing higher education, becoming independent and choosing their own future.

Every girl deserves education, dignity and the freedom to decide her future.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very proud of my lovable KIIT & KISS cyclists for their wonderful performance at the 2nd State MTB Cycling Championship 2026 and Asmita Khelo India at Mahendragiri.

Our cyclists won 30 medals — 12 Gold, 10 Silver and 8 Bronze — and became Overall Champions, besides winning the Youth, Sub-Junior and Junior team categories and finishing runners-up in the Senior category.

Cycling has been an important part of our sports ecosystem, and I am glad that our athletes are able to train regularly at our own international-standard velodrome at KIIT. Such facilities are created so that our young sportspersons can practise well and prepare themselves for bigger competitions.

I am very happy to see our young boys and girls doing so well in cycling and bringing laurels to KIIT & KISS.

Heartiest congratulations to all our cyclists, coaches and the entire sports team. Keep working hard and keep making us proud.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to know that the United Nations has declared 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. The date has a special connection with India, as the Government of India had launched the national ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign on the same day, 27 November 2024, to work towards a child-marriage-free India.

At KISS, we have always believed that education is one of the strongest ways to protect a girl child from early marriage and give her the confidence to decide her own future. Over the years, we have seen many of our KISSian girls complete their higher education, become independent and marry around the age of 25–26 or later.

KISS has been working on this issue for many years through education, awareness and community outreach. Since 2022, our partnership with Jhpiego has taken this work further through peer education, tribal languages and traditional art forms. This effort also supports the spirit of Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, launched on 27 November 2024, towards making India free from child marriage.

One of our KISSian girls from Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, herself a survivor of child marriage, is today pursuing higher education at KISS-DU and creating awareness in her own community. Stories like hers show how education can change the course of a girl’s life.

This decision of the United Nations gives more strength to the efforts being made everywhere to end child marriage and protect the future of every girl.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy and proud to see India hosting the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji.

BRICS today represents a significant share of the world’s population and economy, and therefore its decisions can make a real difference in areas like development, innovation, education, sustainability and opportunities for the Global South.

My best wishes to Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi Ji and all the participating leaders for a successful BRICS Summit 2026.

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

Our students explore the vital role marine ecosystems play in sustaining biodiversity and livelihoods through immersive classroom learning, field visits, and interactive campaigns. From tackling plastic pollution and overfishing to understanding the importance of mangroves and coral reefs, every session builds deeper ocean awareness.

We also honour traditional fishing practices and Indigenous coastal knowledge, spotlighting them as powerful, time-tested models for marine conservation.

Because protecting our oceans starts with educating our future

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I am very much happy to meet and pay my regards in person to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Ji (@vishnudsai), Hon’ble Governor Shri Ramen Deka Ji (@GovernorCG), and Hon’ble Speaker Dr Raman Singh Ji (@drramansingh) during my half-day visit to Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

During our interaction, I shared the work I have been doing for the last three decades in the field of education and tribal empowerment. We also had a very positive discussion on establishing a KISS branch in Raipur, with the support of the Government of Chhattisgarh, for the tribal children of the state, following the encouragement and advice of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Governor and Hon’ble Speaker.

I am very grateful to all three of them for the love, affection and respect they showed me during my visit, and for encouraging this work for the tribal children of Chhattisgarh.

[PMO India @PMOIndia]

Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nanded, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi

[KISS - Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences @kissfoundation]

On September 11, we remember the lives lost in one of the most tragic moments in recent history.

At KISS, we believe that remembering is also about reaffirming our shared humanity — choosing compassion, solidarity and peace in the face of adversity.

We remember. We honour. We stand for humanity.