Rajib Kumar Jena

Always Happy..........

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Chess can be much more than a sport. It can be a beautiful tool for learning, thinking and shaping young minds.

I am happy that the FIDE–KISS Chess in Education Teacher Preparation Programme, sponsored by the International Olympic Committee, was successfully organised at KISS from 18–22 August 2026. Thirty teachers from our primary and secondary schools participated in this special training programme.

The programme helped our teachers understand how chess can be used inside the classroom to improve concentration, critical thinking, creativity, decision-making, patience and collaborative learning among children.

My sincere thanks to the leadership of FIDE and IOC for their support and for taking this important initiative forward with KISS. We are also keen to explore how Chess in Education can be developed further as a credit-based course, creating more opportunities for our students and teachers.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

KIIT School of Management organised its 17th National HR Conclave on the very important theme, “The Equalizing Effect of Generative AI: Bridging the Skills Gap.”

I was very happy to welcome Sri Sanjeev Agarwal, CEO & Managing Director – Middle East & India, Protiviti, as the keynote speaker. His simple message that it is Humans and AI, not Humans vs AI was very relevant. He spoke about how Generative AI is changing the way organisations work, learn and develop talent.

I was also happy that KIIT and Protiviti signed an MoU for future collaboration, which will further strengthen our association and create more opportunities for our students and faculty.

The conclave brought together industry leaders, experts, faculty members and students to discuss AI, future skills, HR practices and the changing workplace. I always feel happy when our students get an opportunity to listen to and interact with experienced people from industry, because they learn many things which cannot be learnt only from books.

I am happy to see KSOM continuing this tradition through the National HR Conclave and giving our students such good opportunities to learn and grow.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

75th Honorary Doctorate

Deeply humbled to receive my 75th Honorary Doctorate from Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner, a State University of Rajasthan, at a Special Convocation held at Lok Bhavan, Jaipur today.

It was a matter of great honour to receive the degree from Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan and Chancellor of the University, Shri Haribhau Bagde. I am grateful to Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Higher & Technical Education Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa, the Hon’ble Ministers and MLAs, the leadership of Maharaja Ganga Singh University and all the distinguished persons present on this special occasion.

This honour is very special to me. It is my 75th Honorary Doctorate, conferred by a government university through a Special Convocation at Lok Bhavan. Such recognition gives me more strength and also greater responsibility to continue working for the people in society.

Above all, this honour has come just two days before the 10th Punyatithi of my beloved mother, Nilimarani Samanta. I dedicate it to her sacred memory, her struggles, sacrifices and blessings. Whatever little I have been able to do in life is because of the values she gave me.

My heartfelt gratitude to Maharaja Ganga Singh University, especially the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manoj Dixit, and everyone associated with this honour. It will always remain very close to my heart.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I am deeply humbled to receive the Global Visionary Award for Inclusive Education at the IFIP World Inclusion Conference India 2026 in New Delhi today. This honour recognises the journey of inclusive education, tribal empowerment and social transformation through KIIT and KISS.

The International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), United Kingdom, is a global network working across more than 140 countries to promote inclusion in education and society. Its two-day conference, being held in India for the first time, has brought together more than 200 leading educators, policymakers, inclusion practitioners and leaders from different countries to discuss equity, accessibility and equal opportunities for every learner. Receiving this recognition from such a global platform is very special to me.

My heartfelt gratitude to IFIP and everyone associated with this honour. It will always remain very close to my heart.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Heartiest congratulations to 13-year-old WFM Pratitee Bordoloi from Bengaluru on winning silver in the Girls U-18 category at the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2026 in Italy. Unbeaten with 9/11, she won India’s only medal. My best wishes to her.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

On the 12th International Day of Yoga, I convey my best wishes to all.

Yoga is Bharat’s precious gift to the world. It gives strength to the body, peace to the mind and balance to life. In today’s busy world, Yoga is very important for good health, discipline and healthy ageing. I feel happy that it has become a global movement and people across the world are accepting it as a way of healthy and peaceful living.

Let us practise Yoga regularly and live a healthy, peaceful and meaningful life. Happy International Day of Yoga.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Sharing a photo with the young Bihu artiste whose graceful performance made our KIMS@20 celebration at KIIT campus more joyful and memorable.

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

@achyuta_samanta 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

74th Honorary Doctorate

Humbled to receive my 74th Honorary Doctorate from IES, Strasbourg (France), for my contributions to society over the last three decades.

I am deeply grateful to IES, Strasbourg, its Founder, Ms Soula Kyriakou, and its Co-founder, Ms Zinaida Kyriakou, for this honour. It gives me more strength to continue working for society and humanity.

Happy that KIIT has also signed an MoU with IES, Strasbourg, to further strengthen meaningful collaboration and create new opportunities for students and faculty.

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

Another Proud moment for us 🙏🏻💐🙏🏻

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy and humbled to receive three significant honours during my visit to Bozeman, Montana, USA.

Received a special recognition from the Department of Native American Studies at Montana State University for my work in the field of tribal and indigenous empowerment through KISS. I was also spiritually honoured by the Native American tribal community with their sacred tribal blanket, which is a very special mark of respect in their tradition. I also received the Global Visionary Award from the Montana World Affairs Council. The occasion was also graced by Hon’ble Governor of Montana, Mr. Greg Gianforte, which made the moment more special.

I feel humbled to know that I am among the first Indians and non-Americans to receive such a distinguished recognition in Montana for humanitarian and educational leadership. This honour is very special to me, as it connects the tribal children of India with the indigenous communities of America through love, respect and shared human values.

My sincere thanks to Montana State University, Montana World Affairs Council, the Native American tribal community, the Hon’ble Governor of Montana, the Hon’ble Consul General of India in Seattle, Mr Prakash Gupta, and all friends in Montana for their affection and blessings.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I feel very happy to see my lovable KISS children doing so well in Romania.

My tribal children from KISS are performing Santali dance and Shakespeare in Santali on a foreign land, and I have been told that everyone there is appreciating them with so much love. This gives me great happiness.

This is the best way to give good exposure to our tribal children from India, particularly Odisha. When our children go to another country and receive love for their talent and culture, it gives them more confidence in life.

My blessings and best wishes to all my students in Romania. They are bringing a good name to Odisha, India, KIIT and KISS, and presenting the tribal language and culture of India and Odisha with pride on a foreign land.

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

@achyuta_samanta 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I am grateful to my mother for her unconditional love and blessings. Whatever I am today is because of her. Even today, I feel she is holding my hand and guiding me silently.

Happy Mother’s Day!

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

@achyuta_samanta 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

For the last 20 years, it has been my simple faith to visit Tirupati and have Mundan. This is my inner happiness and devotion to Lord Balaji.

My prayers for peace, happiness and blessings for all.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I feel very happy to share that KIIT has entered into a Pathway Programme Agreement with Newcastle University, United Kingdom. Newcastle University is a historic institution whose origins go back to 1834. It is also a founding member of the Russell Group and is ranked 137th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

It is a matter of happiness that such a respected university has joined hands with KIIT for this academic partnership. From Newcastle University, I am happy to mention Professor Chris Day CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and President, Sanjana Medipally, Acting Head of International Relations and Partnerships, Professor Stephanie Glendenning, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Professor Ian Head. From KIIT, Vice President International Relations, Mr. Dwiti Aditya exchanged the MoU with Professor Chris Day.

This is a good step for the future of our students. My best wishes to all who will benefit from this agreement.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

After a long time, I am travelling by train again, and it is giving me a different kind of happiness.

While travelling from Delhi to Jhansi to receive my 72nd Doctorate from a reputed university in Madhya Pradesh, many old memories are coming back to me. In the early days of my KIIT and KISS journey, I used to travel by Rajdhani Express to Delhi. Today, after so many years, travelling again by the same train feels very emotional.

I never forget my old habits, old days and old memories. They always keep me grounded, and they continue to inspire me.

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

72nd Honorary Doctorate

I am humbled to receive my 72nd Honorary Doctorate from Shri Krishna University, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, at its First Convocation Ceremony today.

The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Shri Thawarchand Gehlot Ji, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka; Shri Virendra Kumar Ji, Union Cabinet Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment; and Shri Inder Singh Parmar Ji, Minister of Higher Education, Madhya Pradesh.

I also thank Dr Amit Kumar Jain, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Shri Krishna University, and the entire university leadership for their affection, respect, warm hospitality, and for recognising my work in the field of education and social service.

Receiving this honour from a university committed to quality education, human values and social upliftment gives me deep happiness and humility. This honour is dedicated to my KIIT and KISS family, who have always been a part of my journey.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy to welcome Her Excellency Ms Laura Williams, Hon’ble U.S. Consul General, Hyderabad, to KIIT and KISS.

She visited our campuses, went around the facilities, and spent time meeting our faculty members, staff and students. I was happy that she closely saw the KIIT and KISS model and appreciated the work being done for education, inclusion and social development.

Her visit was a matter of happiness for all of us. My heartfelt thanks to her for taking the time to visit our campuses and for her kind appreciation of our work.

@USCGHyderabad

[Rajib Kumar Jena @jenark1989]

ଦିନେ ହାତ ପାଦକୁ ପଚାରିଲା..
ତତେ ସମସ୍ତେ ପ୍ରଣାମ କରୁଛନ୍ତି, ହେଲେ ମତେ କେହି ବି ପ୍ରଣାମ କରୁନାହାଁନ୍ତି କଣ ପାଇଁ ??
ପାଦ ସୁନ୍ଦର୍ ଉତ୍ତରଟିଏ ଦେଲା - ପ୍ରଣାମ ପାଇବାକୁ ହେଲେ ତଳେ ରହିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥାଏ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଉପରେ ନୁହେଁ ।।
#ଜୟଜଗନ୍ନାଥ 🙏🏻🚩
#ମୁଁସୁନାପିଲା 👶🏻