Chitta Ranjan Gond, a research scholar from the small village of Bhaluguda, P.O. Sarguli, Raighar Block, Nabarangpur district, Odisha, has successfully completed his Ph.D. from the Department of English, School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures at KISS Deemed to be University. His doctoral research, titled “Breaking Boundaries: A Critical Study of Jacinta Kerketta and Mamang Dai from a Feminist Perspective,” was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Ratnaprava Parija, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of English.

Dr. Gond’s educational journey at KISS began in 2012 when he enrolled in the +2 Science programme. He continued his Undergraduate studies in Mathematics (+3 Science) in 2016. Although his academic background was in science, his passion for Literature inspired him to make a bold transition to the humanities by pursuing an M.A. in English in 2021. Shifting from Mathematics to English Literature was a challenging decision, requiring him to master an entirely a new discipline through dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

On 24 December 2021, he enrolled in the Ph.D. programme in English at KISS Deemed to be University and successfully defended his final viva voce on 27 May 2026.

His doctoral research offers a comparative feminist reading of the works of Jacinta Kerketta and Mamang Dai, examining how these distinguished Indigenous writers challenge patriarchal structures, articulate women’s experiences, preserve Indigenous cultures, and advocate for social justice through literature. The study contributes significantly to the fields of Indigenous literature, feminist criticism, and contemporary Indian literary studies by foregrounding marginalized voices and highlighting the transformative power of literature.

Dr. Gond’s academic journey was marked by numerous hardships. Coming from a financially constrained family, he encountered difficulties in collecting research materials and frequently travelled overnight by bus between Bhubaneswar and his native village, covering nearly 563 kilometres to support his family. While pursuing his research, he also carried the responsibility of caring for his ageing parents, who lived alone in their village, while his elder brother worked in Cuttack.

During his postgraduate studies, he faced one of the most difficult phases of his life when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). Despite serious health challenges, he remained committed to his education and continued his academic journey with determination and resilience.

His perseverance was reflected in his scholarly achievements. During his doctoral research, he presented three research papers at national and international conferences, received the Best Paper Award at an international conference, and published four research articles in reputed academic journals. These accomplishments demonstrate his commitment to academic excellence and his contribution to literary research.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Gond expressed his heartfelt gratitude:

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta for his visionary leadership and for making my academic journey possible through the free quality education, food, accommodation, and holistic support provided by KISS. I sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor of KISS Deemed to be University for providing me the opportunity to pursue my Ph.D. in English, and Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, for his support. My sincere gratitude goes to Prof. Jatindra Kumar Nayak, Professor Emeritus, and Prof. Chittaranjan Bhoi, Chair Professor, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Chair, for their constant guidance and encouragement. I also thank Dr. Rasmita Tripathy, Former Dean (SCTLL), and Dr. Yasobanta Das, Principal, KISS, Bhubaneswar, for their valuable support and inspiration. I am deeply indebted to my Research Supervisor, Dr. Ratnaprava Parija, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of English, for her invaluable guidance, encouragement, and academic mentorship throughout my research. I also thank my RSC members, Prof. Chittaranjan Bhoi and Dr. Trailokya Nath Parida, for their constructive suggestions and support. My thanks also go to Dr. Srinibas Panda, Controller of Examinations, and all the faculty members of the Department of English and the School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literatures (SCTLL), KISS Deemed to be University.

I sincerely thank my fellow research scholars for their encouragement and assistance. I am also grateful to Mr. Rabin Kumar Khandayatray, Chief Librarian, and the staff of the KISS-DU Library for their valuable support and resources. Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported, encouraged, and blessed me throughout my research journey.”

KISS Deemed to be University congratulates Dr. Chitta Ranjan Gond for this achievement!