The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences in Bhubaneswar signed a statement of intent with the United Nations Development Programme on Tuesday to work for tribal development and sustainable development in Odisha.

According to the provisions, the two organisations will undertake targeted analytical tribal research activities based on SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) and Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), skilling through career guidance and counselling, management of natural resources especially water and biodiversity to ensure the overall development of the tribal areas.

The statement of intent was signed between Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) & KISS and Shoko Noda, UNDP resident representative, India, in the presence of the country head, UNDP; Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera, vice-chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University; Dr Prashanta Kumar Routray, registrar and senior officials of the UNDP and KISS.

“Both UNDP and KISS are working towards the eradication of hunger and poverty. We are happy to work with KISS to bring about the overall development of tribal areas in Odisha. I have never seen such kind of institution like KISS in my 25 years of career. The approach of this institution is very personalised and individual. KISS is a living example of SDG,” said Noda.

Thanking the UNDP for partnering with the KISS, Dr Samanta stated that the KISS has been working towards the eradication of poverty and hunger and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals for the last three decades.

On the occasion, SDG Lab of the KISS also gave a presentation on various SDG initiatives undertaken by the institute.