Blog Archives - Achyuta Samanta

Combating Human Trafficking

Posted on: 30 Jul 2020

Human Trafficking is a crime. It is a grave violation of Human Rights. It has emerged as the most heinous assault of the right to live a life of dignity. The World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on 30th July from 2010 when the UN General Assembly adopted a global plan to combat trafficking and take action against this crime. It is also a day to remind us of the grim reality that 2.5 million people and 1.2 million children are victims of trafficking every year all over the world. Despite the strides in technology and increase in the reporting of trafficking cases, thousands of cases go unreported. Human trafficking involves recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or…

Free Education in KIIT-DU for Children of Covid Deceased in Odisha

Posted on: 26 Jul 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended all spheres of life and livelihood in Odisha, India and the world. Almost all the countries are struggling every day to control the rate of transmission and recover the economy. As the lockdown measures are easing, the number of new coronavirus infections is increasing by day in India and Odisha. This steep rise is also because of ramping up the testing facility. Thousands have succumbed to the virus and have also lost their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us to make sudden, drastic shifts to our way of life to keep ourselves and our communities healthy and safe. But even in this uncertain time, we can still find reasons for hope. KIIT has always reached out to the distressed people at the time of…

Mandela, Gandhi and KISS

Posted on: 18 Jul 2020

Today happens to be Mandela Day. Gandhi- Mandela dream comes to life in one corner of India, state of Odisha, in KIIT and KISS. Their philosophy and thought is practised in KIIT and KISS. To begin with, both Gandhi and Mandela sacrificed, endured and suffered a lot for their movement for noble causes. They led their respective nations to the heights of glory through their humanitarian principles and philosophy. They were subjected to imprisonment during the course of their political career. They faced struggles. But they moved on till the goal was attained. “I never lose. I either win or learn.” quoting Mandela, both led a nation, changed lives, and inspired countless people along the way. Mandela owed his achievements to the influence of Gandhi’s ideals and principles on his…

Utilising Demographic Dividend

Posted on: 11 Jul 2020

Today is the World Population Day. It is celebrated every July 11 to spread awareness about the exploding world population and the importance of reproductive health. The population of the world took thousand years to reach 1 billion mark and 200 years to increase seven times. Today it stands at a staggering level 7.7 billion now and predicted reach 11 billion in 2100. The population trends have far reaching implications for generations to come. The trends affect economic development, employment, income distribution, poverty and social protections. They also affect efforts to ensure access to health care, education, housing, sanitation, water, food and energy. But at the same time, human resource is the most important block for economic development. India has one of the youngest populations in an ageing world. The median age in India…

Reduced Syllabus: My views

Posted on: 10 Jul 2020

Times are different now. The students are suffering each day, primarily because of staying at home, doing or trying to attend online classes. Especially students in the transition years have been in perpetual panic and anxiety ever since the lockdown restrictions due to COVID 19 started. The public schools in urban areas are trying to cope up with the changing times by offering online classes, pivot from their chalk and talk to achieving learning outcomes in new ways. In such circumstances, CBSE and other boards have decided to reduce the syllabus by 30% keeping in view the increased stress. The experienced board of members have come up with this proposition to reduce the burden of the students. The portions done away with for this year is not a permanent arrangement.…

Iti and Maa

Posted on: 2 Jul 2020

Back in the seventies, there were only a handful of trains running from Cuttack to Tatanagar. The Utkal Express reached Tatanagar on an early morning. The passengers pushed and began to sigh. I disembarked holding my Maa’s Kani (lose end of a saree) and Iti's hand. Suddenly, my mother took Iti on her arms. She would be about six years old - no longer a child to be carried on mother's arms. She was scrambling to get down. But my mother grabbed her by the jaw and started moving forward. In front of her stood a man dressed in a black coat. He asked my mother for a ticket. Immediately, Maa showed him her and my ticket. Looking at our tickets, the TTE said, "Where is the daughter's ticket?" "She…

Continuity and Consistency as essence of life

Posted on: 11 Jun 2020

To become great is difficult, to maintain is more difficult and to continue with the same intensity is the most difficult feat.There are three categories of people in this world, one who are born in great luxury and have the scope of expanding and deepening what they receive as a legacy. They labour hard to achieve higher echelons but their struggle is not as difficult as their previous generation who make it large. The second category is the one who are pushed into greatness by some stroke of fate. They assume the position and continue to exert it with focussed endeavours, discipline and adaptation to change. The third category is the one who become great by the sweat of their labour, almost from zero, rise from obscurity into prominence, carve…

Thank you, readers

Posted on: 31 May 2020

Ever since the lockdown began, I have been writing a blog every day. Most of these thoughts are from my experience and interaction with people. I am a workaholic person and not a voracious reader which is why all the blog posts were opinion pieces based on my day-to-day observation during e Corona Crisis. I have covered topics like social distancing, corona warriors, migrants' lives, the impact of COVID, the post-COVID world, Odisha’s fight against Corona, and more. I'm delighted to announce that I will soon be publishing a book which would be a compilation of all the blogs. When I started this process, it was all new for me. But somewhere along the way, I've started enjoying it - depicting my thoughts, dictations, corrections, editing, and publishing the blog.…

Labour Migration, Shortage and Corona

Posted on: 29 May 2020

With the Corona Pandemic came other crisis, the crisis of labour and migrant workers in India. The saga of their horrendous struggle to reach home alive has been nerve-wracking and spine- chilling. Some have made it home now, possibly walking or rickety bicycles or paid train tickets or exorbitant price for standing space in a truck. But the question is why did they take up such a drastic step? Their employers didn't pay them wage despite Home Ministry making it legally binding. Some companies have paid, but the contractors have swindled the funds. Now as the industries open, they are going to face an acute labour crisis. The fear and uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic along with the humiliation of the sub-human treatment is not going to make workers want…

Periods in Pandemic

Posted on: 28 May 2020

Every year on May 28, non-governmental organisations, government agencies, the private sector, the media, and individuals come together to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. This year the theme is ‘Periods in Pandemic’. It aims to highlight how the challenges faced by women during menstruation have worsened due to the ongoing pandemic. “Periods don’t stop for pandemics — it’s every girl’s right to manage her period safely and with dignity.”- UNICEF Here are 6 related issues to ponder upon in the Corona Pandemic Menstrual supplies are essential itemsEconomic disruptions can lead to women and girls losing access to hygiene products. These include sanitary pads and tampons, menstrual cups, reusable napkins, pain medication and soap. Governments must ensure these items be declared essential and…