CUNY Honours Dr Achyuta Samanta with Research Centre in New York

In a historic ceremony in New York, the City University of New York (CUNY) named a new research institute after Indian educationist Dr Achyuta Samanta. This is the first time an Indian’s name has been honoured in this way in America. It shows how education can bring respect, even across continents, when it is pursued with love and honesty. The new centre is called the Achyuta Samanta India Initiative CUNY Crest Institute. It will focus on Indian culture and the lives of tribal communities, especially those from Odisha. This centre will help American students learn about India’s deep roots and how strong values can shape better lives. This initiative began after Dr Milton Santiago, the head of Bronx Community College, visited KIIT and KISS in Bhubaneswar. He was moved by what he saw—thousands of tribal children studying, playing, and growing. He decided that the world should also learn from Dr Samanta’s model of education with heart. During the same event, Dr Samanta received the Presidential Medal—CUNY’s highest honour. This medal is not just for him but for every child in Odisha who chose school over struggle. It shows that even the simplest dreams can become powerful when they are backed by action. Dr Samanta was born in a poor village in Odisha. After losing his father early, he was raised by his mother. Life was very tough, but he believed in the power of books. Today, he runs KIIT and KISS—two world-class institutions that have changed thousands of lives forever. The naming of this centre builds a special bridge between two different worlds—Odisha’s tribal areas and New York’s universities. Students in the US will now study Indian traditions, culture, and values that come from the ground level. It is a way of sharing the soul of India with the world. At KISS, tribal students receive free education, food, and care. But it is not just about books. They also learn sports, culture, and values. This model has now become a global example. The CUNY institute will study how such education systems can help other countries too. During the inauguration, Dr Samanta expressed deep gratitude and humility. “This recognition belongs not to me alone but to the people of Odisha, to every tribal child who believed in education, and to the incredible KIIT-KISS family that turned vision into reality,” he said. He continued, “This is not just a personal milestone—it’s a moment of pride for India. It shows that the world is watching, and the world is listening to what’s possible when education becomes a mission, not a privilege.” This honour shows that India’s real strength lies in its people and values. We often speak about technology and exports, but people like Dr Samanta show that stories of kindness and education are just as important. These stories are India’s gift to the global stage. Dr Samanta said the medal is not the end of his journey. It is a reminder that there is more to do. He believes that education should not be a luxury—it should be a right. His journey from a small mud hut to an American university will inspire young minds for years to come.