Dr. Achyuta Samanta Receives PIO Excellence Award

Bhubaneswar: Dr. Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, has been awarded the first-ever PIO Excellence Award by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) for his significant contributions to education and tribal empowerment. The award was presented during the ‘PIOs Dialogue with India 2025’ session, organized by KIIT-DU, ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations commencing tomorrow.

Themed “Empowering Global Connections: The Role of PIOs in Emerging India,” the event brought together prominent dignitaries and global leaders. Along with Dr. Samanta, Shanmugan Mookkan, OSD to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Professor Ajay Kumar Dubey from JNU were also honored for their contributions.

A key highlight of the session was a proposal to host an International Cultural Festival every four years in India to celebrate the heritage and contributions of People of Indian Origin (PIO) worldwide. The initiative aims to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the diaspora and India.

Additionally, the session marked the launch of the GOPIO International Chair at KIIT-DU, dedicated to fostering research and innovation related to the Indian diaspora. The chair will facilitate academic studies and document the achievements of PIOs globally.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Samanta said, “It is an honour for KIIT and KISS to host this prestigious event. KIIT has grown from 12 students to over 80,000, and KISS has become a revolutionary institution in the country. I am delighted to share our journey with our distinguished guests.”

Ravendiran Arjunan, Secretary General of GOPIO International, praised KIIT’s growth, recalling that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was initiated at the request of PIOs to then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “The contributions of PIOs in nation-building must be preserved and documented,” he added.

Reflecting on Odisha’s historical significance, Arjunan highlighted Kalinga’s legacy as a center of trade and commerce, urging for the preservation of this heritage.

Dr. Ponnusamy Muthayah, President of GOPIO International, emphasized how Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has strengthened the diaspora’s connection to India. Vinay Dussoye, Vice President of GOPIO, proposed the International Cultural Festival as a step towards fostering deeper ties with younger generations of the diaspora.

Former diplomat Debraj Pradhan, Director General of International Relations at KIIT-DU, and Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU, both acknowledged the diaspora’s role in India’s growth. Prof. Debasish Bandopadhyay, Pro Vice-Chancellor, extended the vote of thanks, welcoming the cultural festival proposal.