The National Institution for Quality & Reliability (NIQR) conferred NIQR-Bajaj Auto Outstanding Quality Man Award 2016 on founder of KIIT & Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Dr Achyuta Samanta at its biennial national convention in Chennai on Saturday.
The award recognises individuals who have excelled in their spheres of activities. The NIQR, a premier organisation devoted to promotion of quality and reliability awareness among Indian industries, presented awards to organisations and individuals in seven different categories.
Dr Samanta received the award from Ashok leyland MD Vinod K Dasari in the presence of high dignitaries. Mentioning Dr Samanta as a “visionary social architect”, the award citation recognised his immense contribution in eradicating poverty using education as the strategic medium.
The KISS, the world’s largest fully-free residential KG-PG institute for the poorest-of-the-poor indigenous aborigine (Scheduled Tribe) children, fulfils the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as envisaged by global leaders, award citation observed. “As a social reformer, you have been propagating ‘Art of Giving’ (philosophy of life), a concept aimed at bringing peace to human mind around the globe,” the citation noted.
In another honour, the Youthink Foundation conferred ‘Pride of India Award’ to Dr Samanta for his outstanding contribution towards upliftment of tribal community through education at a special ceremony in Chennai on Sunday.