Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar on 25th November 2023 organised the 3rd Annual Convocation wherein 302 students, including five Ph.D scholars, were awarded their degrees. The event registered the attendance of notable luminaries like Shri Raghubar Das, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Shri Biswabhushan Harichandan, Hon’ble Governor of Chhattisgarh, Shri Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Former CEO NITI Aayog, and Dr Ricky G. Kej, internationally renowned music composer and three-time Grammy-winning artist.

Three Honoris Causa degrees of D. Litt. were awarded at this event to Biswabhushan Harichandan; His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President & Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Niketan; and Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore & Chairman, Board of Elevandi, Singapore.

Shri Raghubar Das addressed the gathering and said, “Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the Founder of KIIT and KISS has proved that no work is impossible if one has determination. KISS students have made Odisha proud time and again in the fields of academic achievements and sports.” He also congratulated the degree recipient while he remarked that India’s advantage today is the power of its youth. He further said that youth is rife with innovative ideas, an appetite for risk-taking, and a can-do attitude.

Shri Biswabhushan Harichandan, on this occasion, stated that the KISS is a praiseworthy initiative for tribal upliftment by Dr. Achyuta Samanta. He addressed the graduates and told them that it was their responsibility to ensure that poor and marginalized communities are able to avail the benefit of equality before the law and other constitutional provisions because they are the conscious and educated citizens of the country.

Shri Amitabh Kant in his convocation address stated, “I have visited many academic institutions in India and abroad, but have not seen institutions like KIIT & KISS anywhere.” He congratulated Dr Samanta for his endeavours and deemed KISS to be an inspirational institution. Shri Kant noted that India is favourably on the path of achieving swift progress and growth due to its thriving democracy, demographic dividend, and rapid digitization across sectors. India is now the 5th largest economy in the world with a target of achieving the rank of 3rd largest economy in the world by 2027-28.

Dr. Ricky G. Kej, also addressed the graduates and stressed the fact that our planet is in the middle of an environmental crisis, and we can make a difference by changing ourselves.

His Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, in an expression of gratitude towards KISS-DU on being awarded an Honoris Causa Degree, observed that out of 15 medal recipients 11 were girls and it was reassuring to see that. He heralded it as the symbol of the new Bharat. He acknowledged the efforts of Dr. Samanta and said, “Through his struggles in early life, Dr. Samanta has realized that life is not about ‘having more’ but about ‘being more’. He has given wings to your dreams to take off, and his commitment is admirable.” Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, another esteemed recipient of the Honoris Causa Degree, through his acceptance speech, guided the students regarding the development of professional and academic competencies for being successful and mastering the art of survival.

The convocation’s welcome address was given by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS and the vote of thanks for the event was proposed by Dr. P. K. Routray, Registrar at KISS-DU. Satya S. Tripathi, Chancellor KISS-DU oversaw and presided over the convocation ceremony while Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor KISS-DU, presented the annual report.

Founder’s Gold Medal, which is awarded for securing the highest CGPA, was given to Tilottama Sabar, School of Indigenous Knowledge, Science & Technology. The convocation also recorded the presentation of the Chancellor’s Gold Medal and Vice-Chancellor’s Silver Medal to various students for their academic merit and outstanding performance.