Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9th August 2026 at the Auditorium, Campus-3, with a programme dedicated to celebrating Indigenous knowledge, experiences, traditions, culture, heritage and contributions to society. The programme was organised by the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC), KISS-DU, in accordance with the United Nations theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” The University also highlighted the philosophy of Founder KISS and KIIT, Dr. Achyuta Samanta “Thili Kana, Heli Kana, Hebi Kana” providing a platform for reflection on Indigenous experiences, knowledge systems and community life.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial garlanding of statues of Tribal Heroes, paying tribute to the courage, contributions and legacy of Indigenous leaders and heroes. The tribute served as a reminder of the rich history and enduring contributions of indigenous communities.
In his Welcome Address, Dr. Sunaram Soren, Assistant Professor, Department of Santali, School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures (SCTLL), KISS-DU highlighted the importance of observing the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and recognising the invaluable contributions of indigenous communities to cultural diversity, knowledge and social well-being. He also spoke about the significance of the day in the context of KISS.
A significant segment of the programme was devoted to experience sharing on “Thili Kana, Heli Kana, Hebi Kana” by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Purty, Dr. Jayashankar Praska, Dr. Laxmipriya Mallick and Dr. Nisikanta Nayak, Assistant Professors, KISS-DU. Their reflections provided an academic and experiential dimension to the observance, encouraging participants to engage with indigenous perspectives and lived experiences.
The event also provided a significant platform for Research Scholars to share their experiences. Hemlata Naik, Pintu and Ananta, who had returned from Romania after representing KISS at the Shakespeare Festival at University of Craiova, shared their experiences with the audience. Their participation reflected the importance of providing indigenous scholars with opportunities for academic exposure, international engagement and knowledge exchange. Experience-sharing sessions were conducted by scholars Priyambada, Snigdha and Kusha, creating an interactive environment in which research scholars could share their perspectives and experiences with the wider University community.
While sharing their journey so far, the scholars and students expressed their gratitude to Founder KISS and KIIT, Dr. Achyuta Samanta. They said that speaking on the theme “Thili Kaun, Heli Kaun, Hebi Kaun”, which is close to the Founder’s heart, was a very emotional and heartfelt moment for all of them, as whatever they are today is because of the Hon’ble Founder and that they are indebted to him for transforming their lives and giving them opportunities like carrying out cutting edge action oriented research and travelling to different parts of the world for sports, cultural and academic exchange programmes.
The programme was further enriched by cultural performances by students, showcasing the vibrancy of indigenous traditions and cultural expressions. Through dance and song, the students added a celebratory dimension to the occasion and highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous cultural heritage.
The programme also featured an address by Shri Digvijay Singh, Director, Maharshi Vedic Institute, followed by an address by Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU. Their presence and addresses added significance to the observance and reinforced the importance of recognising, respecting and promoting indigenous knowledge, culture and well-being.
Another important highlight of the programme was the release of a book authored by Mr. Raju Mardi, a scholar from the Department of Santali, SCTLL. The book release celebrated indigenous scholarship and literary contributions and underscored the importance of documenting and promoting indigenous languages, literature and knowledge traditions.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Iswar Kanti Murmu, Assistant Professor in Hindi, SCTLL expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, faculty members, research scholars, students and all those who contributed to the successful organisation of the event.
