It was like a rebirth for Krishna Deogan at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). The girl from Sarajbas village in Tinkipani block of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, lost her mother when she was just a year and a half.
Krishna’s father Suresh Deogan and mother earned their livelihood as farm workers. Despite their best efforts, they struggled to make their ends. After her mother’s daughter, Krishna was taken care of by her grandparents. With time, the grandparents handed over the girl’s responsibility to her paternal uncle and aunt, who were associated with an NGO.
Fate smiled on them when Krishna was admitted to Class III at KISS in 2016-17.
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.
Krishna’s famiy chose KISS as they felt it was the best option where quality education was available at no cost. The inclusive education model that offers free lodging, boarding and study materials and ensures healthcare, hygiene and overall well-being at no cost seemed unbelievable, yet real.
Krishna is at present studying in Class VI at KISS. Coming from a humble background, Krishna took time to orient herself to the KISS environment with its academic infrastructure, extra-curricular facilities, including vocational and life skills education for self-sustenance.
With the active support of teachers, mentors, guides and instructors at KISS and her peer group, Krishna focused on her studies. She also enrolled in vocational courses and upgraded her skills under the Earn while you learn programme.
With the pandemic disrupting teaching and learning, Krishna had to go home where she is now enrolled with an NGO school.
Krishna is grateful to Achyuta Samanta for his kind blessings and for creating such a magnificent institution like KISS that has ushered in a sort of revolution with a unique educational model.