“Education is the third eye of a child,” as rightly told by Prof Achyuta Samanta, Founder – KIIT University and KISS and now we feel it. KISS is the world’s largest residential tribal University, home to 30,000 indigenous students who are provided nutrition, holistic, formal, and vocational education from KG to PG free of cost. It was established in 1992-93 by renowned educationist and social activist Prof Dr Achyuta. It is the embodiment of empowerment of the marginalised, underprivileged students who have become change agents for their communities.
Purnima Singh is one such example. She is the daughter of Suna Singh and Minati Singh of the Bhumija tribal community in the Mayurbjanj district of Odisha. She had spent her childhood days in the Khalia village of Balasore district at her maternal uncle’s place. Time took a U-Turn in her life as her mother came back to her maternal grandfather’s house with her and her three months old brother. She was a victim of domestic violence. Purnima’s father Suna is a chronic alcoholic and used to physically abuse her mother regularly.
Her mother had no idea how to bring up her two small children amidst acute poverty and deprivation. Problems multiplied as she was incapable of working hard enough to make both ends meet. Further, as ill-luck could have it her mother became the victim of scorn and physical abuse even at her own father’s place.
A ray of hope started shining for Purnima’s mother when she came to know about KISS from other villagers and its mission to provide quality education to disadvantaged children. She heaved a sigh of relief to know that children from marginalised communities are provided with free formal/ vocational education, lodging, boarding and other facilities at KISS. She somehow got Purnima admitted with the help of villagers. Simultaneously, she migrated to Tamil Nadu to work in a factory with her little infant son.
Purnima is a class VI student at KISS. In addition to formal education, it has also introduced her to life skills, develop her culture and craft. She is hopeful about the future and has nurtured dreams of ending the sorrow of her suffering mother by studying hard. In the summer vacation, like many of her classmates, Purnima never goes to her village. Since her mother could not come back from Tamil Nadu so her uncle and aunt visit her during the Guardians Meet at KISS.
She hopes to become a change agent for many disadvantaged children of her community and village. Purnima feels indebted to Prof. Achyuta who has played the role of a father figure by handholding her to change her fate. During the pandemic, Purnima’s mother came back to the village and she is staying with her. Purnima says that the regular supply of study materials and food items at her doorstep by the KISS authorities at the behest of Achyuta sir has helped her family to survive. She hopes to return to KISS at the end of the pandemic and pick up the pieces of life anew.