Tapan Dhal

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy to share that the KIIT School of Sports and Yogic Sciences has signed an MoU with National Sports University, Manipur, to strengthen sports education, sports science research, yoga education, student and faculty exchange, high-performance sports development and knowledge sharing.

National Sports University, Manipur, established under an Act of Parliament in 2018, is an important institution of the Government of India dedicated to sports education, research and training. I feel happy that KIIT is joining hands with such a national institution for the development of sports and youth.

My sincere thanks to Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary Ji, Vice-Chancellor, National Sports University, Manipur, for this meaningful partnership. I hope this MoU will contribute to the growth of sports education and research in India and help many young people move forward with discipline, knowledge and confidence.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to share that our KIIT & KISS students performed Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth in Santali today in Kolkata.

After their return from Romania, and after their performances in Delhi and Bhubaneswar, it was a proud moment to see our children perform again today before a distinguished gathering in Kolkata. For me, Shakespeare in Santali by our tribal students is very special. It shows that when children are given love, care and opportunity, their talent can reach any stage in the world.

The programme was graced by Padma Bhushan Shri Leander Paes Ji, Olympic Medallist and International Tennis Hall of Famer; Smt. Purnima Chakraborty Ji, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information & Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Government of West Bengal; and many eminent guests.

I feel very happy that everyone appreciated the performance of our children. When our tribal children perform on such platforms and receive so much love, it touches my heart. It gives them courage and takes their language, culture and confidence to a larger world.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

During my one-day visit to Switzerland, I felt very happy to meet my dear friend and brother, Mr Fabio Azevedo, President of FIVB.

We share a very warm and close relationship. Our discussion was full of love, ideas and hope for the future of Volleyball and Beach Volleyball.

We spoke about how volleyball can reach new heights, how more opportunities can be created for young players, and how KIIT and KISS can contribute more to the global volleyball movement.

I am grateful to Mr Fabio and the FIVB family for their trust, affection and encouragement. Together, we will continue to work for the growth of volleyball in India and across the world.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy to welcome a five-member delegation from Newcastle University, UK, led by Professor Nigel Harkness, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, to KIIT and KISS as part of our ongoing collaboration.

We had meaningful discussions on academics, research, innovation, sustainability, environment, agriculture, engineering and future opportunities for our students and faculty.

They visited KIIT and KISS campuses, interacted with our faculty members and appreciated the infrastructure, academic environment and the work being done here.

I am happy that KIIT and Newcastle University are continuing this journey with a shared thought for knowledge, research and service to society. My sincere thanks to the entire delegation for visiting KIIT and KISS.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

I feel very happy to share that the FIVB–KIIT–KISS Centre of Excellence for Volleyball at KIIT has been elevated to an International Centre of Excellence for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball by FIVB.

This announcement was made at the FIVB Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, in the presence of FIVB President Dr Fabio Azevedo and the FIVB leadership.

This is a proud moment for KIIT, KISS, Odisha and India. What started as a centre to support Indian volleyball players will now become a global platform for players, coaches and sports professionals from different countries. It will also give international athletes the opportunity to study at KIIT and KISS while receiving world-class volleyball and beach volleyball training.

I am thankful to Dr Fabio Azevedo and the entire FIVB leadership for their trust and encouragement.

My dream is to see India represented in Volleyball and Beach Volleyball at the Olympic Games. I believe this International Centre of Excellence will help us identify, train and prepare young talents for the future, including our long-term aim towards Brisbane Olympics 2032.

[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.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Very happy to see my 20 lovable KIIT & KISS students performing Shakespeare’s plays in Santali language at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, before a distinguished gathering of more than 500 people, including over 200 ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomats, after their return from Romania.

They had earlier presented Santali language and tribal culture at the International Shakespeare Festival in Romania. Today also, everyone appreciated them so much.

For me, this is a matter of great happiness. Our children are taking the language, culture and pride of our soil to such respected platforms.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Day 2 at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

After yesterday’s beautiful programme, I felt very happy to see my 20 lovable KIIT and KISS students once again performing Shakespeare’s plays in Santali language after their return from Romania.

The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, two Hon’ble Members of Parliament and many respected dignitaries. I felt very happy that all of them appreciated the performance of our children.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy to share that KIIT & KISS have been recognised by the FIT India Movement as Model Campuses for the Vehicle-Free Campus Initiative and felicitated with the FERN Award.

This recognition gives us great happiness because it is connected with health, fitness, cycling, clean mobility and care for the environment.

A bicycle is not only a means of transport. It is a simple friend of health, discipline and nature. At KIIT and KISS, we always try to encourage our students and staff to follow healthy and eco-friendly practices in daily life.

I am thankful to FIT India, Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, for recognising the efforts of KIIT and KISS.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Happy and proud to congratulate my lovable KIITian, Mr Priyanshu De, a Computer Science student of KIIT, for qualifying to represent India at the prestigious WorldSkills Competition 2026 to be held in Shanghai, China.
He had earlier won the Bronze Medal at the IndiaSkills Competition, and through his hard work, dedication and skill, he has now earned this great opportunity to represent our country on the global stage.

My best wishes are always with him. May he continue to work hard and bring more glory to KIIT, Odisha and India.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

The 17th KIIT International Chess Festival 2026 has started at KIIT with a record prize pool of Rs. 1.31 crore, the highest prize money offered by any university in India.

This year, more than 4,000 players and officials from over 40 countries, including 25 Grandmasters, 50 International Masters and many international title holders, have come to KIIT. Around 2,000 parents are also here with them. It gives me immense happiness to see KIIT becoming a global meeting place for chess lovers.

What started in 2011 with a prize fund of Rs. 16 lakh has today grown into one of the most respected international chess festivals. This has been possible because of the continued support of FIDE, AICF, Odisha Chess Association, organisers, players, parents and all well-wishers.

I was also touched to be felicitated by the chess players and parents from Odisha, AOCA and AICF. I have always believed that sports and academics should go together. KIIT & KISS will continue to support chess and all sports with full dedication.

My congratulations to all participants and winners of the BLITZ OPEN. My best wishes to every young player. May this festival give them good exposure, confidence and inspiration to achieve greater success in life.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

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.

[Press Trust of India @PTI_News]

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."

[Tapan Dhal @TapanDhal90]

13 th Anniversary of art of giving celebration
#achyutasamanta
#artofgiving
#sharetoshine

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

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.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

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.

[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]

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]

Heartiest congratulations to Ms Sadhvi Satish Sail of Goa on being crowned Femina Miss India World 2026 at the Grand Finale of KIIT Presents 61st Femina Miss India 2026, held at KIIT today. My congratulations also to Ms Rajnandini Pawar of Maharashtra, 1st Runner-Up, and Ms Sree Advaita G of Uniona Territory, 2nd Runner-Up. It was a matter of pride for all of us that this prestigious national event was held in Odisha for the first time, and at the KIIT campus.

For the last few days, the participants and officials had been with us and experienced KIIT, KISS and the rich culture of Odisha closely. Today, seeing this beautiful journey come to its grand conclusion gave me much happiness.

I thank everyone who worked day and night and helped conduct the entire programme smoothly and gracefully. My sincere thanks to The Times Group, Femina, all officials, participants, guests, students, staff, volunteers and the entire KIIT and KISS family. Everything was completed very smoothly, and that gave me happiness.

[Achyuta Samanta @achyuta_samanta]

Sharing a few moments from a very special day of KIIT Presents 61st Femina Miss India 2026.

The top 30 State winners spent the day experiencing the spiritual, cultural and natural beauty of Odisha. They visited Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Puri Sea Beach, Konark and Chandrabhaga, and also took part in a yoga session at Konark. It was nice to see them come close to the rich heritage and culture of our state.

My best wishes to all of them for a beautiful journey ahead.