Dr. Achyuta Samanta has been awarded the Asia’s Best Social Entrepreneur for the current year by the World HRD Congress. The award was conferred on him at a ceremony organised in Singapore on 23rd July 2010.

Dr. Samanta has received wide recognition at national and international levels for establishing KIIT, a centre of excellence in professional education, and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), a path-breaking model of tribal empowerment through education. Coming out of a childhood which was marred by poverty due to untimely demise of his father, he demonstrated immense determination to set up the two institutions in Odisha, one of the most backward States of India.

KIIT, which has the distinction of being declared a university in shortest possible time due to its excellence, is leading Odisha’s march towards becoming an educational hub in the country. On the other hand, KISS, which provides education from KG to PG, vocational training, residence and all the basic necessities of life to 10,000 tribal children at no cost, has come to be regarded as a highly effective and internationally replicable model of tribal empowerment.

He was chosen for Asia’s Best Social Entrepreneur Award after a thorough investigation of his background and achievements by the award committee. Members of the jury arrived at the conclusion after judging him on five stages. The award ceremony was attended by renowned personalities from different countries of Asia. Delegates present on the occasion gave him a standing ovation as the citation of the award was read out.

Intellectuals’ circle in Odisha was overjoyed at the news of this recognition for Dr. Samanta. The award for Dr. Samanta is a pride for the State, they said.