#United States #New York #KIIT #CUNY #Achyuta Samanta

Historic Milestone: CUNY Establishes the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative

In a significant step forward for educational collaboration, the City University of New York (CUNY) recently inaugurated the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative, marking the first research institute in the United States named after an Indian figure. This groundbreaking moment has been met with overwhelming pride, especially from the Indian state of Odisha, which is home to the esteemed Dr. Achyuta Samanta, renowned educator and social reformer.

The initiative was launched in an event attended by various high-profile academics and dignitaries gathered from across the United States, all celebrating the contributions of Dr. Samanta. The newly established institute aims to provide American students with opportunities to conduct research centered on the rich cultural heritage and arts of Odisha. This encompasses a comprehensive exploration of tribal communities' socio-economic development, which has been significantly influenced by Dr. Samanta's tireless efforts.

Dr. Samanta, who is also the founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), received the prestigious CUNY Presidential Medal during the ceremony—an honor reserved for individuals whose global impact is exceptionally noteworthy. This medal recognizes his transformative contributions to education, elevating living standards in tribal communities, and humanitarian service. His work through KIIT and KISS has positively affected the lives of over 80,000 children in tribal regions, providing them with quality education and dignified opportunities.

The idea for the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative emerged following Dr. Milton Santiago's recent visit to KIIT and KISS. Santiago, the president of Bronx Community College— a constituent college of the CUNY system—was deeply inspired by Dr. Samanta's life story and vision. It was during this visit that he proposed to the university's governing board to honor Dr. Samanta by establishing a research institute in his name, a suggestion that received unanimous approval.

At the inauguration, Dr. Santiago expressed his enthusiasm, stating, _“The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative will help American students from diverse backgrounds understand India's tribal communities, their cultural roots, and an educational model that is among the most effective in the world.”_

Dr. Samanta attended the event as the guest of honor, expressing profound gratitude and humility towards the recognition. He remarked that this honor is not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for the entire Odisha and the institutions of KIIT and KISS. He emphasized that he hopes the institute will inspire further research and deeper understanding of Odisha's art, literature, and culture, alongside highlighting his own work in these areas.

Established 175 years ago, CUNY is a prestigious public university system that encompasses 25 educational institutions and caters to over 300,000 students from 122 countries. The creation of the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative under the aegis of CUNY reinforces the global relevance of Dr. Samanta's vision and the intellectual legacy of Odisha. The establishment of this research center opens doors not only for academic exploration but for cultural exchange and collaboration between India and the United States, promising to create pathways for mutual understanding and respect between two rich cultures.

For more information, you can view the inauguration ceremony here. And explore the further implications of this institute for educational and cultural exchange initiatives around the globe.