Success has dawned upon Achyuta Samanta with such stuffs in which dreams are made of. He has risen to pinnacles of height of glory from dust. His success is not for personal fortune but for a passionate journey for welfare of others in the society, especially its bottommost stratum. The illustrious example is his Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), which houses, feeds and educates as many as 45,000 tribal boys and girls free of cost from KG to PG level every year and immensely contributes to tribals’ empowerment through education. He truly believes in the “joy of giving” and abhors the rat race for self-aggrandizement. Charity to all, malice to none is his motto; so, no wonder, words like arrogance, envy, harm, conspiracy, guile are not found in the ever-smiling kindhearted Dr Samanta’s dictionary. The eminently eligible bachelor refrained from wooing a ladylove for a life partner and preferred to remain a bachelor all throughout to serve the society with unerring precision and unflinching exactitude. An iconic figure of social commitment of international stature, he has been hitting headlines for the good results of his human service. latest, this role model has got recognition from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for being a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) choice as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Born in 1965, Dr Samanta obtained his Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the Utkal University in 1987 and also a Doctorate in Social Science and started teaching at the age of 22. He was the founder Chancellor of KIIT University and he also was the founder Chancellor of the KIIS University, the first tribal university in the world. He has also served as a member of two apex educational bodies of India, University Grants Commission (UGC) for two consecutive terms (2008-11 & 2011-2014) and Executive Committee of all Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE). He was the first Odia to become a member of this coveted position in the UGC. He has also made his debut in several other Government of India organisations like NCTE, ISTE, ISCA, Coir Board, CAPART, etc. He too has made a mark as a member in the Academic Council of Central University Assam and Odisha. He has added a feather unto the cap of Odisha by being currently the General President of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) for the year 2017-18. Awards and accolades come cascading down upon Samanta and the list is unending as his name Achyuta (which literally means connected to the infinite and the unending sans beginning and the end). He was honoured with National Award for the Welfare of Children 2016 by President of India Ram Nath Kovind. He has also delivered nearly 100 motivational speeches, including convocation addresses, keynote addresses and foundation day lectures in different institutions and organisations worldwide to his credit. He is conferred with 35 Honoris Causa Doctorate awards from prestigious universities across the globe. He is decorated with civilian awards from countries including Gusi Peace Prize International, the Highest civilian award from Bahrain, besides over 50 national and international and over 200 State honours and accolades. Despite his grandiose success and achievements, Samanta leads a simple living with high thinking and is more humble than humility itself. Success has not entered into his head. In an interview to The Pioneer, he spoke to Sugyan Choudhury from the cultural and technical quarantine of the KIIT University.
You have all along been a noted social worker with international recognition, repute and renown. What made you to opt for politics and public life by joining the BJDIJ
You see, whatever I have been doing nearly over the last three decades is nothing but public life. I have all along been in social work and public life. Then, where does the question now arises to join public lifeIJ If I get a chance to represent Odisha in the Upper House of Parliament then it would strengthen my social activities and would give me an impetus to work for all the issues concerning our State, society, education and for all other great causes as it demands. That is why I decided to go for politics. It would help me in accelerating the social causes and all other issues through a higher forum.
What made you to opt for BJD onlyIJ
I opted for the same as I am thankful to the BJD for it has some care and concern for an individual who has sacrificed his life and carrier for a noble cause in serving the people and the society. I am especially thankful to BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik who made a search and chose me for the purpose. No other political party recognised my sacrifice so far. Thus, the BJD supremo’s recognition overwhelmed me that here is a leader who is always on his quest for worthy people to accelerate the growth and development of Odisha.
You have been President of Indian Science Congress, an educationist and an intellectual. By joining a political party, won’t it affect your intellectual freedomIJ
No, no. As you know the Upper House is an assembly for intellectuals. My intellectual freedom shall be multiplied as I shall avail a wider canvas to interact with other stalwarts. Hence, my freedom would improve for the better than having any iota of apprehension of its curtailment.
How do you think to aim your guns on various issues in the Rajya SabhaIJ
You see, I have been working in very many fields like education, tribal education, tribal development and the like. I must put questions involving all these scenarios as and when an issue so demands. Besides the above, I must raise questions on issues concerning the development of our State and all other questions as my party would ask me to raise.
What would be the plans on your agenda in fighting for Odisha as a Special Category StateIJ
I must leave no stones unturned for rejuvenating and galvanising Odisha’s economic growth trajectory to a greater height. As regards Special Category State, I must act on my party line.
How do you think to combine your university affairs with your political careerIJ
You know KIIT and KISS are my two babies. They have now reached their youthful status. They are very much stable, well-governed and well-structured. I have made them completely decentralised. Hence, I would not be disturbed if I am asked to spend my time in other noble pursuits. However, I shall maintain a close supervision without being disturbed. Hence, combining the two would be a pleasure.
Whom shall you give credit for being nominated to the RSIJ
It is undoubtedly the Hon’ble Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. At last, he has recognised my nobel work and has nominated me to the Upper House. I am also highly impressed by his meaningful leadership, splendid workmanship and his unassuming simple lifestyle.