KOKRAJHAR, APRIL 18: Prof Achyuta Samanta, founder of KISS and KIIT, Odisha has been conferred the 7th Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025 in a grand programme held at the Barama College Complex in Baksa district on Friday, on the occasion of the 166th birth anniversary of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma.
The award has been instituted by the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust (GKBT) in memory of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma, social reformer of the Bodo and other down trodden communities across the state of Assam.
The award has been conferred under the aegis of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Government, recognizes individuals with exceptional contributions to social reform and community upliftment.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, an Eri shawl, Aronai, a citation, and a memento.
The GKBT has conferred the award to Prof Samanta in recognition his deeply dedicated towards the welfare and development of the educational and social integration amongst the peoples.
Notably, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, renowned educationist, social reformer, philanthropist, and founder of KIIT and KISS,
Prof. Samanta, also a former Member of Parliament from Kandhamal, Odisha, is globally acclaimed for founding the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) — the world’s largest free residential educational institute for tribal children. He currently serves as the President of the Volleyball Federation of India.
Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region, handed over the award during the ceremony.
ABSU president Dipen Boro, Dr. Ajit Kr. Boro, president of the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust, and several other dignitaries were present at the event, which celebrated the values and vision of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma.
On the occasion, CEM of BTR, Pramod Boro paid his heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma on his 166th birth anniversary.He said that Gurudev’s timeless teachings remain a guiding light in our collective pursuit of peace, unity, and holistic development in Bodoland Territorial Region.He has recalled contributions and dedication of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma,said that today’s Bodo society reached at this juncture after a deep dedicatedly and contributions of Gurudev.
” On the occasion of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma’s 166th birth anniversary, I was honoured to confer the 7th Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award upon Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT Group of Institutions. An eminent educationist and a globally acclaimed philanthropist, Prof. Samanta has empowered thousands through education and uplifted countless lives through his humanitarian initiatives. This prestigious award recognises his exceptional contributions to social entrepreneurship and nation-building”, Boro said.
Accepting the award, Prof Samanta expressed his gratitude and sincere thanks to the organisers and Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust for conferring him the award in a grand ceremony.He said that the award giving on him has immensely encouraged him to work towards the welfare and development of the humanity society.
