Achyuta Samanta, noted social activist and reformer from India, was honoured with Isa Award for Service to Humanity, a top civilian award of the Kingdom of Bahrain, on Wednesday.
The “Man with Midas touch” received a certificate of appreciation, a 21-K gold medal and $ 1 million cash prize at the hands of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at a special ceremony held at the Isa Cultural Centre, Manama in the presence of Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, among others.
The honour was in recognition of Samanta’s efforts in social care and education. “Prof. Samanta has based his services to humanity on constant diligence as he strives to find effective initiatives that would eradicate poverty, hunger, and illiteracy, while working on providing the less fortunate with job opportunities and a better standard of living,” said King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in his keynote address.
He termed Dr Samanta’s work, particularly Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), as “a unique, unprecedented and pioneering achievement and an example of giving and selflessness”. A documentary on the life and accomplishments of the laureate was also screened.
This prestigious international award is given every two years to exceptional individuals or organisations whose selfless actions produced long-term benefit to the general public, enhanced efforts in finding solutions to humanitarian and social problems and issues and adopted creative ideas and theories to raise the standard of life.
Dr Samanta said the honour would be a catalyst for him to carry on his work in serving humanity.
It is a matter of great pride for Samanta to be the first-ever Indian to get a red carpet reception from the airport to the palace where the King greeted him. Samanta delivered a one-hour address at the National University of Bahrain.