Summary
KISS was founded by eminent educationist, social activist and philanthropist Achyuta Samanta in 1992-93
Birasmani and her elder sister, Rashmita, were admitted to KISS in 2015
Birasmani Mahali is one among the millions of underprivileged girls of her community but she discovered her inherent strength to succeed. The tribal girl from Silikota village in Gurndia block of Sundargarh district, Odisha, has made a mark for herself in national and international hockey.
Birasmani’s parents Jhalua and Koili Mahali were struggling to earn a livelihood as daily wage labourers and farm workers. Their financial condition worsened as Jhalua Mahali married again and had two more children. Misfortune struck when Birasmani’s father Jhalua suffered from snakebite while asleep and died.
Jhalua’s second wife left the house one night, leaving behind her two children in the care of Koili, Birasmani’s mother. Overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for five children, Koiliy could not imagine being able to educate them till she heard about Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar.
The education model at KISS with free food and shelter for students seemed a boon for the Mahalis.
KISS was founded by eminent educationist, social activist and philanthropist Achyuta Samanta in 1992-93. After more than three decades of glorious journey, Samanta doesn’t require an introduction. After negotiating arduous early years, he has become a great rallying point for people at home and abroad.
KISS is a symbol of Samanta’s tenacity and determination. Besides education and tribal uplift, healthcare and rural development, he has contributed immensely to art, culture, literature, film, media, society and national integration. His contribution to the field of sports requires a huge canvas to list its rise and expanses, right from the grassroots to international podiums. The enormity of the man can hardly be elaborated on paper.
Besides KISS, Samanta also founded the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT). Both educational institutions have achieved global repute and recognition. KIIT is an Institution of Eminence and one of the most prominent universities in India and the world for professional education with more than 30,000 students from all over India and 65 other countries. KISS is home to 60,000 indigenous children.
Birasmani and her elder sister, Rashmita, were admitted to KISS in 2015. It has since been an incredible journey for Birasmani. Besides studies, she took interest in sports and is now an ace hockey player.
Free nutritious food, accommodation, dress, study materials, proper health care hygiene and an opportunity to take part in extracurricular activities of her choice have restored her inner strength and inspired her to dream high with the sky as the limit.
The COVID-induced pandemic and consequent closure of the campus left Birasmani with no scope to practice the game. The two sisters took up work as domestic help and earned Rs 3,000 a month to help the family.
Birasmani dreams of being a teacher and is herself grateful to her teachers, mentors and instructors for their support and guidance. She expresses her deep reverence for Samanta, whose compassionate approach has created a new world for the likes of Birasmani.
Last updated on 28 Mar 2022
