What happens when great human forces meet and come together with each other between Sunrise and Sunsets, that makes a day of success. When the doom and despondency from the unknown bio-invader Covid-19 paled the horizon of the country, pat came a silver line in Odisha, where some played the Samaritan role to brow-beat the enemy. It was an endeavor that was not merely a stitch-in-time dose but, a doggedness that still has not faded amid the panic of the pandemic.

Some footprints may not be lasting but the impressions left on the human psyche can never be erased for many years to come.

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar and its sister institution Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), inspired by the compassionate vision of its Founder, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, has always responded swiftly to reduce the suffering of people at the time of natural calamities. This time also, right from the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, it has been doing its bit to reach out to the worst-affected.

Rain or shine, the above two institutions have always stood by, like rock pillars, with the individuals and organizations as and when any crisis stared at any. Covid is not merely an invisible enemy but a scary reality that requires more caution than an immediate cure, which is still far from human reach.

Global Outreach

KIIT Deemed to be a University, which has been recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Govt. of India, has 30,000 students from all parts of India and over 50 countries. A name that hardly requires much introduction as its place among the galaxy of knowledge citadels has gone global.

One also requires more of compassion than publicity to comprehend the role played by KISS where 30,000 underprivileged students study, the world’s largest fully-free fully-residential institute, exclusively for tribal students.

 

A Stitch In Time

In a kick-start motion, anticipating the problem from the pandemic early, all the students of KIIT and KISS were safely sent back to their homes well before India declared the nationwide lockdown. But they did not face any academic loss. KIIT was first university to begin online classes, maintaining the academic calendar perfectly. Similarly, e-Learning classes through Kalinga TV, an umbrella media wing of the organization, is being conducted for KISS students, who are also in constant touch with their teachers through WhatsApp groups.

 

Involving its students, KISS launched ‘Project Uday’, a massive awareness campaign on social distancing, proper use of mask, hand washing and respiratory hygiene in six aspirational districts of Odisha: Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal, Balangir, and Gajapati. More than 500 volunteers are involved in the project covering 220 villages.

 

In one of the most significant measure in Odisha’s war against Covid-19, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), the medical wing of KIIT, set up India’s first standalone COVID-19 hospital, a 500-bedded ultramodern facility including 50 critical care beds, with the support of the Govt. of Odisha. KIIT has also set up three 200-bedded COVID-19 hospitals, one each in Kandhamal, Balangir and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha. The quick turnaround time in setting up of the dedicated Covid Hospitals has received much praise.

 

Another constituent of KIIT, KIIT-Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) under KIIT School of Biotechnology, has been recognised as a Centre for Augmenting War with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, along with other eminent institutes in India, including IITs. KIIT-TBI is responsible for implementing this program in East & NE.

Humongous Humanitarian Challenges Met

An empty bag cannot stand upright and the spirit behind the drive, Dr. Samant could foresee the perils to come so, in a unique humanitarian gesture, KIIT Deemed to be University has decided to provide free education to the children of the Covid deceased in Odisha. The facility will be available for two academic years: 2020-21 and 2021-22.    

 

In a mammoth community service response, KIIT reached out to various groups facing hardship due to the extended lockdown. The intervention includes distribution of food materials and other essentials to over 3 lakh pandemic-hit people, which included the disadvantaged people living in various slums, stranded migrant labourers, who were also provided temporary shelter, and people living in containment zones.

 

More Compassion Than Recognition

 

Post pandemic scenes, in many ways, were touching and required more of compassion than recognition. When KIIT looked beyond the windows and took initiative to deliver cooked food to police personnel on duty, who were diligently enforcing the lockdown in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack. It was indeed a moving gesture that went beyond the realms of duty.

 

KISS worked closely with the American Embassy in the evacuation of personnel who were stuck in Odisha and other adjoining areas. It also distributed feminine hygiene products to women and girls in all the districts of Odisha.

 

Up On The Hills

 

Other community outreach activities include provision of one month supply to the Tibetan population in Chandragiri and Padmasambhava Monastery in Jiranga, a Tibetan settlement area in Eastern Odisha; and adoption of two old age homes in Chandragiri. KIMS is also supporting a hospital in Jiranga and has provided PPE to the health workers.

 

In addition, KIIT & KISS are providing groceries and cash for miscellaneous expenses to over 40 orphanages, old age homes and leprosy centres in Kandhamal district.

 

Breaking the boundaries of mental inhibitions, KIIT & KISS extended a helping hand to the red light areas in Bhubaneswar. Groceries and other essentials were provided to the needy. KIIT, KISS, Sakha and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives came together to distribute ration and essential items for the transgender community in Bhubaneswar, Rayagada and a few other districts of Odisha.

 

A Healing Touch To The Silent Livers

 

An enduring silence descended on the world of animals, cutting across species, when fear of Coronavirus virtually crippled almost all human activities, from homes unto the streets. It were merely the cry through the eyes of hungry animals which resonated in the domain of human psyche.

That was when KIIT and KISS even set up a team to source and distribute fruits, vegetables, biscuits and other food materials to animals like monkeys, cattle and dogs, in and around the campus.

 

It has adopted 140 peacocks in Bhubaneswar is taking care of these beautiful birds and providing financial assistance to more than 10 ‘Goshalas’ in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

 

“COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious global health crisis of our times and also the toughest humanitarian challenge. It has extracted a huge human toll, besides causing big setbacks to the economy. Our efforts are a drop in the ocean and aim to bring smiles on the faces of as many people as we can touch. But, I am sure, together, we will overcome this crisis also”, Prof. Samanta said.

 

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