Summary
Reshma Kulisika comes from a poor tribal family in Khajuripada village of Dasamantapur block, Odisha
Reshma was admitted to KISS, Bhubaneswar, in Class I in 2013
Koraput district is nature’s paradise, famed for its picture-postcard beauty capped by green mountains, its landscape interspersed with meadows, an enchanting expanse with waterfalls cascading down.
That’s the spectacle of nature where summer never loses its fury, the monsoon becomes lazy and produces an ethereal feel where words fail to describe the magnanimity of nature.
The moonlit nights abandon a feeling as silence prevails here for years and in the mornings, the leaves on the trees produce the mirage of ear-drop pearls by morning dews.
In a non-descript hamlet on the cascading slopes of Khajuripada village in Dasamantapur block lives Reshma Kulisika with her father Chandel Kulisika, mother Satma Kulisika, five sisters and a brother.
Kandh tribes inhabiting the district survive on agriculture and allied activities for livelihood. The parents toil hard as daily wage labourers or as farm labourers to earn their livelihood. Although Chandel is illiterate, he cherished a dream to educate all his children in good schools but was economic adversities came in the way. “When I am unable to earn enough to make both ends meet, how can I realise my dream of providing good education the children?“ thought Chandel.
While nourishing the hope for good education for his children despite the stark poverty, Chandel was exploring all possible options and avenues. Ultimately fate smiled on him and he came across one gentleman who told him about the world-class education facility at Kalinga Institute Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, that was absolutely free of cost.
This sounded unbelievable to Chandel but hoping against hope he mustered courage and made up his mind to send his children to KISS. The dilapidated thatched house accommodates seven tribal siblings and parents who are subject to flash floods during the rainy season and manage the distress during summer. In this hopeless condition, the dream of educating the children appeared farfetched.
KISS was founded by 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 stands out like a symbol of Samanta’s tenacity and determination. Currently, he is a Lok Sabha MP. 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, he also founded 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 globe for professional education having more than 30,000 students from all over India and 65 other countries. KISS is a home for 60,000 indigenous children, absolutely free.
Chandel went door to door, begging for financial help to reach Bhubaneswar, but his efforts yielded no result. Ultimately, one of his relatives — a distant brother of Reshma — offered financial support for Reshma’s admission to KISS, Bhubaneswar. Finally, Reshma stepped into KISS, Bhubaneswar, in 2013 in Class I. The student-centric pedagogy, ambience and holistic educational model at KISS helped Reshma secure the first position in each class and also excel in extracurricular activities. She also showed a knack for tailoring, stitching, and an artistic flair.
Reshma owed her mentors, teachers, trainers, and all stakeholders for her all-round personality development and excellence in academics. She is thankful to Samanta for his blessings and support. She is deeply indebted to the founder for the student-friendly ambience that significantly contributed to her empowerment and realising her dreams. Reshma nurtures a dream to become doctor and plans to serve her own community. Her passion for art and craft will definitely help shape her dreams.
This article has been curated in association with Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS).
Last updated on 17 Feb 2022
