| File:Dr. Achyuta Samanta - 01.jpg | |
| Office | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
|
|---|---|
| Term start | 25 May 2019 |
| Term end | 4 June 2024 |
| Predecessor | Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh |
| Successor | Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi
|
| Constituency | Kandhamal
|
| Born | 1965-1-20 (age 61)[1] |
| Born | Kalarabanka, Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, India
|
| Political party | Biju Janata Dal
|
| Alma mater | Utkal University |
| Occupation | Social worker and entrepreneur |
| Website | www.achyutasamanta.com |
Achyuta Samanta (born 20 January 1965) is an Indian educationist, social worker, and politician, known for founding the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He served as a member of parliament in the Lok Sabha, representing the Kandhamal constituency of Odisha from 2019 to 2024.[2][3]
Early life and education
Samanta was born in Kalarabanka village in Cuttack district of Odisha, India. He lost his father at the age of four and was raised in poverty by his mother, along with six siblings.[4] He completed a master's degree in chemistry from Utkal University.[5]
Career and institutions founded
In 1992, Samanta established KIIT with limited resources, which grew into a private university offering multidisciplinary programs.[6] In 1993, he founded KISS, a fully residential institution providing free education, food, and healthcare to tribal students.[7]
In 2013, Samanta launched the "Art of Giving" initiative, focused on promoting kindness, sharing, and community service.[8]
Political career
In 2019, Samanta was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kandhamal as a candidate of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).[9][10] His tenure focused on education, tribal development, and rural welfare. In 2024, he stepped away from active politics.[11]
Awards and recognition
Samanta has received several national and international awards, including honorary doctorates. Notable recognitions include:
- Mahatma Award for Social Good (2024), awarded by the Aditya Birla Group.[12]
- Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award (2025), for contributions to tribal education.[13]
- ISA Award for Service to Humanity (2015), conferred by the Kingdom of Bahrain.[14]
- Gusi Peace Prize (2014), for initiatives in education and social reform.[15]
- FIVB Grand Cross Award (2024), from the International Volleyball Federation.[16]
- Iconic Healthcare Leader Award (2024), from the Association of Healthcare Providers India.[17]
References
- ↑ Dr. Achyuta Samanta-Founder, KIIT & KISS. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
- ↑ Odisha: Senior BJD leader, ex-MP Achyuta Samanta quits active politics, Network, Post News. OrissaPOST(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Odisha: Achyuta Samanta Announces Retirement From Politics After Lok Sabha Defeat, bytes, OB Bureau. Odisha Bytes(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Achyuta Samanta retires from active politics after defeat in Odisha polls, Swain, Biswajeet. Sambad English(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ About Founder, Nag, Atul. KISS Deemed to be University. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ THE Impact Rankings 2024 KIIT Tops, KIIT. KIIT University News & Events(2024-06-13). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ About Founder, Nag, Atul. KISS Deemed to be University. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Art of giving: A global movement of peace and happiness, India, The Hans. The Hans India(2025-05-18). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Odisha: Senior BJD leader, ex-MP Achyuta Samanta quits active politics, Network, Post News. OrissaPOST(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Achyuta Samanta Retires from Politics after Defeat in LS Election, Insight, The News. The News Insight(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Odisha: Achyuta Samanta Announces Retirement From Politics After Lok Sabha Defeat, bytes Bureau, OB. Odisha Bytes(2024-06-09). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Prestigious Mahatma Award, KIIT. KIIT University News & Events(2024-10-03). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Achyuta Samanta Conferred Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025, Shivam. Adda247(2025-04-23). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ 2nd Laureate – Isa Award. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Samanta receives Gusi peace prize international. Governance Now(2014-12-12). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ THE Impact Rankings 2024 KIIT Tops, KIIT. KIIT University News & Events(2024-06-13). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
- ↑ Achyuta Samanta Receives National Recognition for Notable Contributions to the Health Sector. LinkedIn. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
External links
Template:17th LS members from Odisha Template:KIIT Group of Institutions