#India #Bhubaneswar #Community Service #Art of Giving #Achyuta Samanta

13th International Art of Giving Day Celebrated in 190 Countries

The 13th International Art of Giving Day, inspired by the visionary leadership of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, saw an unprecedented celebration across 190 countries this year. This global initiative, which aims to instill the spirit of giving and sharing, engaged participants from diverse backgrounds in various activities that spanned six continents.

In India alone, the festivities were vibrant, with the event taking place in 20,000 different locations. The overarching theme for this year's celebration was “Share to Shine”, which highlights how sharing joy with others can lead to personal growth and happiness. This powerful message resonated with nearly 2.5 million people who were directly impacted by the movement's activities.

During the week leading up to the day, numerous “Art of Giving” programs occurred in various parts of the world, uniting communities in the spirit of giving. From distributing volleyballs and nets to collaborating with local organizations, the activities were designed to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.

In Odisha, efforts were particularly robust, with arrangements for distributing over 3,000 volleyballs. This outreach was aimed at engaging young people in sports, thereby promoting physical activity and community bonding. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the brain behind these initiatives, emphasized the positive transformations he has experienced through the Art of Giving movement, stating, “What I am today, I owe to the concept of Art of Giving. I have received warmth, love, and affection from people because of this movement.”

The highlight of the celebration took place in Bhubaneswar, where a grand event was organized, attracting participants from all walks of life. Notable guests included celebrated personalities like Leander Paes, an Indian tennis legend and Padma Bhushan awardee, who graced the occasion along with various dignitaries including Rabindra Narayan Behera, a member of the Lok Sabha, and Getrul Jigme Rinpoche, a respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher. The event also saw the launch of the theme song “Art of Giving,” performed by popular Hindi playback singer Shaan, which was well-received by the audience.

In recognizing outstanding contributions to social service, the prestigious AOG Hero Awards were presented to Dr. Bidyut Das, a renowned medical expert, Rotarian Ajay Agrawal, and KIIT professor Kumar Debadatta, each honored for their exceptional service to the community. As part of the recognition, each recipient received a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, epitomizing the spirit of giving that the day stands for.

The collective celebration of the International Art of Giving Day reflects a growing global movement towards compassion and community service. As participation expands yearly, it serves as a reminder of the power of generosity and its influence in building a better world. With more initiatives planned for the upcoming year, the hopes are high for continued engagement and outreach, inspired by Dr. Samanta’s visionary leadership.