Discover the inspiring life story of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, a remarkable figure who transformed education and his community. From humble beginnings to establishing renowned institutions, his journey is one of perseverance and dedication.

Wiki/Biography

Achyuta Samanta entered the world on Wednesday, January 20, 1965 (58 years old as of 2023), in Kalarabanka, Cuttack, Odisha. His astrological sign is Aquarius, and he’s affectionately known as Sukuta. His early education involved an 8km daily walk to Raghunathpur High School. He later graduated from SCS College in Puri, Odisha, pursued an M.Sc. in Chemistry at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and finally earned a Doctorate in Social Sciences. This rigorous academic journey laid the groundwork for his future accomplishments.

Family, Caste & Wife

Hailing from a modest family in Kalarabanka, Achyuta faced hardship early on. His father, Anadi Charan Samanta, tragically died in a train accident when Achyuta was just four years old. This led the family to relocate from Jamshedpur to their ancestral village. His mother was Nilima Rani Samanta. He has six siblings, including the accomplished Indian writer, Iti Samanta. His childhood was marked by periods of hunger due to the family’s financial struggles. He remains unmarried, dedicating his life to social causes.

Career

The death of his father plunged the family into financial difficulty. Achyuta took on various menial jobs to support his family while pursuing his education. After completing his master’s degree, he taught at a private college and gave private tuition. In 1992-93, with just ₹5000, he founded Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in a rented space. He secured loans from family and friends, which eventually grew to ₹2.5 million by 1994-95. Through relentless effort, these institutes grew into prominent educational institutions in India.

KISS was established to provide free education, from kindergarten to post-graduation, along with free boarding and lodging for underprivileged children. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the establishment of several other Kalinga Institutes, including Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT School of Management (KSOM), KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM), and KIIT School of Computer Application (KSCA). These institutions provide numerous opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

Dr. Samanta’s influence extends beyond his own institutions. He’s served on numerous national and international educational boards including the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City, the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), and University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) in Bangkok. His commitment to education on a global scale is evident in these roles.

Awards & Honours

Dr. Samanta’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. Some notable examples include:

This is only a selection of his many awards; his accomplishments have been widely recognized.

Facts/Trivia

• He’s a motivational speaker, having delivered over 100 lectures.
• He holds a place in the Limca Book of Records as India’s youngest university chancellor.
• He’s served as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and won the Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency election.
• He transformed his hometown, Kalarabanka, into a smart village.
• Notable KISS alumni include Dutee Chand (athlete) and Sumitra Naik (rugby captain).
• Since 1987, he’s dedicated himself to the goals of zero poverty, zero hunger, and zero illiteracy.
• He appeared on the Karamveer episode of KBC 11.