My Experience with Dr. Achyuta Samanta

 My Experience with Dr. Achyuta Samanta

        My journey with Dr. Achyuta Samanta is deeply interwoven with my own academic, artistic and personal growth, beginning at a very formative stage of my life. I first came to know about Dr. Samanta not merely as an educationist, but as a visionary who transformed the lives of thousands of indigenous and marginalized students through education. When I joined +2 First Year Arts in 2012, I was a young student filled with curiosity, uncertainty and dreams that seemed distant. The environment of KISS immediately made a strong impression on me. It was not just a campus, but a living example of inclusive development. Dr. Samanta’s philosophy of combining education with dignity, discipline and cultural respect shaped the atmosphere. From the very beginning, I felt that I was part of something larger than myself. This sense of belonging became the foundation of my academic journey. Over time, Dr. Samanta’s presence became a constant source of inspiration. His life story motivated me to believe that background does not limit potential.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta (founder of KISS, KIIT and KIMS) and his KISSan Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

       As a student of arts, I gradually developed a deeper interest in culture, society and creative expression. Alongside my academic studies, I discovered my passion for drawing and painting. Art became my way of observing, understanding and communicating the world around me. During my graduation years at KISS, I began to seriously practice portrait painting. Dr. Achyuta Samanta emerged naturally as a subject of my art, not because of formality, but because of respect. Painting his portrait was both a challenge and a responsibility. I wanted to capture not only his physical likeness, but also the depth of compassion and determination reflected in his expressions. Working on his portrait helped me develop patience, observation skills and emotional connection with my subject. Each stroke felt like a silent conversation with his ideals. This period strengthened my belief that art and education are closely connected.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        During my post-graduation period, my understanding of Dr. Samanta’s work became more nuanced and mature. By then, I had witnessed firsthand how KISS and KIIT functioned as spaces of opportunity for tribal students like me. I observed how education was combined with healthcare, skill development and cultural preservation. These experiences influenced my academic orientation toward social research. At the same time, I continued my artistic practice, refining my technique and conceptual clarity. Painting Dr. Samanta again during this phase felt different from my earlier attempts. The portrait reflected a deeper understanding of leadership and sacrifice. The photographs associated with these paintings represent not just moments of creation, but stages of my intellectual evolution. Standing beside my artwork, I felt a quiet sense of fulfillment. It was a dialogue between the artist, the subject and the institution that nurtured both.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        My interaction with Dr. Achyuta Samanta was not frequent in a personal sense, yet his influence was constant and visible. His speeches, decisions and actions shaped the institutional culture that guided us every day. I learned from him that leadership does not require proximity, but consistency of values. Observing his engagement with students, especially from tribal communities, reinforced my confidence in pursuing higher education. He treated indigenous identity as a strength rather than a limitation. This approach deeply resonated with me as a member of the Didayi community. It encouraged me to explore my own society academically and creatively. The seeds of my future Ph.D. research were unknowingly planted during these years. Dr. Samanta’s commitment to tribal empowerment gave direction to my scholarly interests.

        From 2012 onwards, my academic journey progressed step by step within the ecosystem created by KISS and KIIT University. Completing +2, graduation and post-graduation was not just a linear academic process, but a transformation of mindset. Each level brought new responsibilities and broader perspectives. I became more aware of social structures, governance systems and cultural continuity. The institutional support at KISS allowed me to pursue education without financial anxiety. This freedom enabled me to focus deeply on learning and creativity. Throughout this time, Dr. Samanta remained the central figure behind this enabling environment. His vision translated into everyday academic discipline and moral guidance. I gradually realized that my success was linked to a collective effort guided by a single visionary leadership.

        My decision to pursue a Ph.D. was influenced by my exposure to research culture at KIIT University. I wanted to contribute academically to the understanding of tribal societies, especially my own community. Choosing the topic related to the traditional political system of the Didayi tribe was both personal and scholarly. It reflected my lived experience and academic training. Dr. Samanta’s emphasis on indigenous knowledge systems validated my choice. The encouragement to study one’s own society with academic rigor is rare, yet it was actively supported. This phase of my life demanded discipline, patience and long-term commitment. The values instilled during my early years at KISS proved essential. I often reflected on how far I had come since 2012.

        Art continued to remain an integral part of my identity even during my doctoral studies. Painting portraits of Dr. Achyuta Samanta during different phases of my academic life symbolized continuity and gratitude. Each painting corresponded to a particular stage of growth, both personal and intellectual. The use of monochrome and color reflected changing emotional and conceptual approaches. The act of painting became meditative, allowing me to process experiences silently. These artworks were not created for exhibition alone, but as personal milestones. They documented my journey through visual language. In many ways, art helped me maintain balance during the demanding years of Ph.D. research. It kept me grounded and reflective.

        The photographs associated with these paintings capture moments of pride and humility. Standing beside my work, I was conscious of my position as both a student and a creator. The setting of KISS campus added symbolic meaning to these moments. It represented opportunity, struggle and achievement coexisting in one space. Dr. Samanta’s portrait on the canvas seemed to observe my journey in return. This silent exchange carried emotional depth. These moments reinforced my responsibility as a scholar from a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. I felt accountable to represent my community with integrity. The institutional context made this responsibility meaningful rather than burdensome.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        From an academic perspective, Dr. Samanta’s contribution extends beyond infrastructure and administration. He created a model where education serves as social transformation. As a research scholar, I often reflected on this model while analyzing traditional and modern political systems. The contrast between indigenous governance and modern institutional leadership became clearer. Dr. Samanta’s leadership offered a contemporary example of ethical authority. This indirectly enriched my analytical framework. It helped me contextualize change and continuity within tribal societies. His work demonstrated how leadership can adapt without erasing cultural identity. These insights strengthened my Ph.D. research.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        Completing my Ph.D. in 2025 marked the culmination of a long journey that began in 2012. The transition from a +2 Arts student to a doctoral scholar was transformative. It involved academic rigor, personal discipline and emotional resilience. Throughout this journey, the environment shaped by Dr. Achyuta Samanta remained constant. The values of service, humility and perseverance guided me. I recognized that my achievements were not isolated successes. They were part of a larger narrative of tribal empowerment through education. This realization filled me with gratitude and responsibility. I became more conscious of my role as a scholar and role model.

        My experience with Dr. Achyuta Samanta is therefore not limited to direct interaction. It is embedded in institutional culture, daily practices and long-term vision. His life exemplifies how individual commitment can lead to collective transformation. For students like me, his journey offers both inspiration and direction. It teaches that limitations can be challenged through sustained effort. This understanding shaped my academic ethics and personal discipline. Even today, I reflect on these lessons while engaging in research and writing. They continue to guide my intellectual choices.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        As a member of the Didayi community, my educational journey carries additional significance. Being supported within an institution that respects tribal identity strengthened my confidence. Dr. Samanta’s approach never demanded cultural assimilation at the cost of identity. Instead, it encouraged academic excellence alongside cultural pride. This balance is rare and valuable. It allowed me to study my own society without alienation. My paintings and research together reflect this integrated identity. They stand as evidence of what inclusive education can achieve.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia

        Looking back, the years spent at KISS and KIIT University appear as a continuous process of learning and self-discovery. Each academic milestone brought deeper understanding and responsibility. Dr. Samanta’s presence remained symbolic of stability and purpose. His commitment to education created pathways that many of us could walk with confidence. My artistic expressions during this period served as personal documentation. They captured emotion, respect and gratitude more effectively than words alone. These experiences collectively shaped who I am today.

Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia holding the Didayi community flag card

        The relationship between a student and an institution is often temporary, but its impact can be lifelong. In my case, the influence of Dr. Achyuta Samanta will remain central to my academic and personal narrative. His work provided not only education, but also direction and meaning. It encouraged me to dream beyond immediate limitations. It taught me to value discipline and service. These lessons continue to inform my engagement with society and scholarship. They shape my future aspirations.

Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia, his family and villager of Muduliguda

        In conclusion, my experience with Dr. Achyuta Samanta represents a journey of transformation through education, art and research. From 2012 in +2 First Year Arts to 2025 as a Ph.D. scholar, this journey has been both challenging and rewarding. The paintings of Dr. Samanta created during my graduation and post-graduation stand as visual milestones of this path. They symbolize respect, gratitude and growth. KISS and KIIT University provided the platform, but Dr. Samanta provided the vision. My journey is a small reflection of a much larger movement. For that, I remain deeply thankful.