KISS model to be replicated

Updated on: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Bhubaneswar: “Educational institutes on the patterns of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) would be set up for tribals in different parts of the country,” said Union minister for tribal affairs Kantilal Bhuria.

“KISS is a model institute, which provides free lodging and food to 10,000 tribal students, besides education from the kindergarten to postgraduate level,” he further said.

The minister said this while inaugurating an international seminar on ‘We and our Tribes’ at KISS — the largest ‘Santiniketan’ in Asia - on February 10.

He reminded the audience of Mahatma Gandhi’s assertion that India could only get independence in true sense of the term when tribals join the mainstream through education and said that KISS has realized Gandhiji dream.

Revealing that residential tribal institute on the patterns of KISS will be established on a 40-acre plot in every state, Bhuria hailed the management of KISS for taking initiative in this direction. “All possible support will be extended by the ministry for this,” he said.

Vocation training imparted by KISS is of a high standard, Bhuria said while assuring all assistance through TRIFED to further develop it. He stressed on the creation of a market for the products made in vocational training centres.

The minister unveiled a golden plaque in his honour on the campus and inaugurated a stall for vocational training products managed by the students of KISS.

Lack of access to education is a major problem for tribals, he said and added that the ministry has initiated many measures to overcome this problem. Eklavya institutions have been started in all the states during the current financial year and adequate financial assistance made available to them, he stated.

The minister visited different units of KISS and planted a sapling. His other programmes at KISS included inauguration of UNFPA-KISS Life Skill Office and a Dongaria Kondh Demo House.

Appraising various steps taken for the uplift of tribals, Dr AB Ota, director, State Tribal Research and Training Institute, said that training has been provided to poor tribals to make them self-dependent. They have also been provided housing under Indira Awas Scheme, he added.

Talking about the Tribal Seminar, Dr Satyendra Patnaik of KISS said that a large number of eminent academicians and personalities would deliver lecture on various aspects of tribal development during the course of next two months.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr Achyuta Samanta said that visit of the Union minister and tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria has fulfilled the long-standing wish of the students of KISS.

KISS model to be replicated

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