Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), has been honoured with "2013 World of Difference Award" by US-based The International Alliance for Women (TIAW).
TIAW president Lisa Kaiser Hickey presented the award to Samanta at a ceremony in Washington on March 27 last for his work in the field of women's empowerment, KISS sources said here today.
The citation recognises him as a "Champion of Women's Economic Empowerment".
Three Indians, including Dr Samanta, and four persons of Indian origin are among 100 recipients in different categories, they said.
A recipient of many international awards, Samanta established a small school for the indigenous tribal people in Odisha in 1993. It has now grown into a large residential institute, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), for more than 20,000 tribal children providing education, food, accommodation, clothing and health facilities absolutely free.
About 50 per cent of the students of the institute are girls.
KISS has introduced programs like Life Skill Education in collaboration with UNFPA, vocational training, English Access Microscholarship Programme in collaboration with US Embassy and personality development so that girls can pursue successful careers.
The TIAW is a global community of economically empowered women across six continents aiming to leverage its reach and resources, creating a global community of economically empowered women.
