Antyodaya Diwas marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Antyodaya means uplifting the poorest of the poor and, hence, the day is observed to reach out to the last person of the society. My life has always revolved around this phrase “reaching out to the last person”. Since I was part of the lowest economic hierarchy, I have understood how to transform life. Bringing a revolution is important. But the revolution shouldn’t be reserved for the elite, any change that happens should start from the grassroot level.
KISS Foundation, the NGO affiliate of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, a home for 60,000 indigenous children who receive education, shelter and food free of cost, has been catering to the adage of ‘Antodaya se Sarvodaya’. Educating the underprivileged children is my effort at change. My objective is to bridge the socio-economic disparity that is rampant in today’s society. The most effective way to achieve that is by adopting the Gandhian concept of “attention to the poorest person” because Antodaya ( benefit of one in lowest ladder) can promote Sarvodaya (a sustainable future for humankind).
During covid and its subsequent effect on people, I had lent a helping hand to numerous kids. From KISS Foundation we provided parental affection and adopted 100 such orphan children from all over Odisha. Not just that, I have personally vowed to provide monthly assistance funds to many children who lost their parents. From the numerous acts of “giving” one such episode belonged to that of late Shri Laxmidhar Mohapatra. When Laxmidhar died, his four daughters became extremely vulnerable as they had already lost their mother. I, having lost my father at an early age, understood the pain of being an orphan. I understand helplessness. I understand poverty. So to help these children stand on their own feet, KISS Foundation has been bearing all the responsibilities towards these daughters for a long time now. When I met these children at their residence recently, I was proud to know that they were doing phenomenal with their studies. The eldest sibling has graduated from college with flying colours while the younger sisters are doing exceptionally well. Our support system is always backing these children as helping them would bring about a holistic change.
Holistic change can only be brought by “reaching out to the last person”. Since last year, I have defined a structure to bring such a change. Firstly, the holistic support involves immediate financial assistance depending on the family size, which is roughly about 5-10 thousand rupees. Secondly, an assurance of quality education at KIIT or KISS free of cost is planned when the campus reopens. Thirdly, a monthly stipend is given for sustenance till school resumes. Finally, if there is someone in the family who is willing to work, they are offered a job in KIIT or KISS as per their capabilities and willingness.
I have been working on the bottom’s approach since my early career and Antyodaya Diwas was a suitable occasion to celebrate my vision. This also reminds me of Gandhi’s Talisman, “Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away.” — Mahatma Gandhi – The Last Phase, Vol. II (1958), p.65
The real ruler is one who rules according to the internet of the territory.
Atchyuta Samantha truely believes that the purpose of life is to”help others” , he believes in highest dharma the essence of life is to uplift the downtrodden.His saga starts with “Gir Gir ka chalan Seekha”.,and endured life as a simple humble being, not taken cue from”Social Darwinism”. Be it anyodaya or sarvodaya he brings “UDAYA”- ray of hope by providing food shelterclothing education to many people. Gandhi jee professed here samanthajee implemented
Read the beautiful article
“Antyodaya for Sarvodaya” , very nicely described the fact of Your life time dedication, sacrifices for UPLIFTMENT of Poorest of the poor in line with Deendayal Upadhyaya Philosophy!
Antyodaya – Uplifting of the weakest person
A philosopher, statesman, intellectual & organiser par excellence, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya has been an inspiration for millions.
Antyodaya, the lasting legacy of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya is the philosophy of Integral Humanism, which means “uplifting up to the last person” or ” the rise of the last person”.
It is the means to rid the Nation of extreme poverty & to ensure a minimum standard of living of all individuals.
September 25 every year is now celebrated as Antyodaya Diwas to mark the Birth Anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
He propounded the philosophy that in human being, the individual & society are not competing identities, but indeed the human being himself is the society & the progress of one is the progress of all.
This he called “Ekatm Manavtavad” or ” Integral Humanism”.
Antyodaya is the basic principle of the political & economic philosophy of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
Not forgetting about nature, fulfillment of necessities of human life including health care for individual, educating individual, work for all & capital formation were some of the morals defined under the concept of Integral Humanism by Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.
He always believed that the goal of an individual is not merely to conserve culture, but to give it momentum for its revitalization as a dynamic and capable entity.
His ideology propounded that there is a need to develop community leaders who in return can address development issues at the community level.
The philosophy of Antyodaya, aims at the progress & happiness of “Man”, the “Integral Man”.
This means ensuring that the last person in the ladder or the chain gets the benefit of growth and development.
He believed that the economic schemes & progress can be measured by the person situated at the lowest level & not at the highest level of society & one who has risen above the economic ladder.
Unless the weakest of humans progresses, the society cannot progress!
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Mind blowing inspiration
The man with a mission ..our esteemed Samanta sir …empowering and enabling the poorest of the poor….??
Antyodaya, the lasting legacy of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya is the philosophy of Integral Humanism, which means “uplifting up to the last person” or ” the rise of the last person”. The man with a mission is our Founder Sir whose aim is empowering and enabling the poorest of the poor.
Great work ??
Sir you’re a great example to others.
We are proud of you Sir??
Both the concepts of ‘Sarvodaya’ (upliftment of all) and ‘Antodaya’ ((development of the poorest of the poor) are truly carried out by our Hon’ble Founder Sir… The great Karma Yogi… who believes in ‘practice what do you preach.. Greatly motivated ??
Great work by a great personality.
We always inspire by his works
Sir you have always been a pioneer of societal upliftment through various initiatives and ‘Antyodaya for Sarvodaya’ truly defines the purpose of KIIT & KISS. May KIIT & KISS under your able leadership continue to abide by the principles of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Mahatma Gandhi.
Pranam Sir ?
The philosophy of anthyodaya evolved in to sarvodaya , now let us coin new phrase UDaya for all( should be associated with samanta jee), wherein he provides food ,shelter , health more so education to lakhs of adivasis without charging any amount itself speak that here is a man of commitment dedication. Similarly he is adopting giving facilities, benefits financial support to persons who lost their beloved ones , this is iconic. THE ALMIGHTY HAS SENT HIS SOURCE OF ENERGY AND VISION POWER LOVE AFFECTION THROUGH THIS GREAT PERSONA