Bhubaneswar: “KISS is the most beautiful place in the world and pride of India”, said eminent social worker and Padma Vibhushan Maheswata Devi. Inaugurating a huge dining arena, where ten thousand students can dine at a time, at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), she said, KISS has developed in a very disciplined manner and it was possible only for the tireless effort of Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS. She expressed her satisfaction over mineral drinking water to 16,500 tribal students of the institute.

She also inaugurated the annual lecture series at KISS. Speaking on the occasion, she said, KISS is an exceptional institute and she has never seen an institute like KISS anywhere in the whole world. “It is only here that more than 16,500 poorest of the poor tribal students are getting their education and all facilities under one umbrella”, she remarked, adding that it is only through education tribal children can join mainstream of the society. In a way, KISS is preventing thousands of tribal children from joining the ranks of Naxalites by providing them education, she opined.

Besides being a well-known author, Mahasweta Devi has worked for the development of tribal and for bringing back Naxalites in the social mainstream. Work of the institute has brought it international repute, she observed, while regretting that a handful of misguided people are working to defame this novel institution. Stating that she has received some letters from such people, she stressed that everyone should join hands to help a noble institute like KISS.

Ms. Deepti Naval, noted celluloid artist and social worker also express her satisfaction towards overall development of KISS in various ways. Among others, Ms. Saswati Bal, President, KISS and Achyuta Samanta, Founer, KIIT & KISS were also present.