KIIT Launches Project on Wellness of Tribal Children in Kandhamal District of Odisha
A study on “Wellness of Tribal Children in Kandhamal District of Odisha”, sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, was launched by KIIT at Govt. (SSD) Girls High School, Belapadar on 24th August 2022. Inaugurating the study, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS said that the welfare and wellbeing of tribal children are very close to his heart and he is delighted that senior faculty members from his institution share this dream and are coming forward to work for it.
Prof. Samanta expressed gratitude to the funding agency, DST, and encouraged the implementing team for the success of the project. Shri Ashish Ishwar Patil, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Kandhamal assured whole-hearted cooperation for the success of the project. The Hon’ble MLA, Phulbani also addressed the gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rojalin Sahu, Associate Professor in Chemistry & Associate Dean of Central Research Facility, KIIT Deemed to be University, enlightened the students about the importance of safe and quality drinking water. The objective of the project is to test and create awareness on safe and quality drinking water, oral and menstrual hygiene among school students. Sharing further details, Dr. Sahu, who is also its PI, informed that over the next year, the ambitious project will cover the target population in a large number of schools in the district.
Dr. Prasanta Rath, Professor in Chemistry & Dean, KIIT School of Applied Sciences explained to the students how to measure the different water quality parameters to ensure the safety of the drinking water. A team of researchers from KIIT School of Applied Sciences, Dr. Alok Kumar Panda, Asst. Prof. in Chemistry, Manoja Kumar Senapati, Technical Superintendent, and Niharika Das, Research Scholar demonstrated the measurement of water quality parameters and elaborated on the importance and various processes of purification of water.
Brig. (Dr.) Sudhanshu Rath and Dr. Jyochnamayi Panda, both Professors in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at KIMS, educated young girls on menstrual health, inspiring them to welcome the change as progress in the maturing process. Dr. P.V. Samir, Associate Professor, Paediatric Dentistry, KIDS with his team of interns – Kanhu Keshav Mohapatra, Kumar Garv, Sayandip Sengupta, Prateek Choudhury – and Dental Hygienist Prahlad Das surveyed and educated the children on their oral and dental health.
The Head Mistress, Govt. (SSD) Girls High School, Belapadar; B.D.O. Phulbani; and District Welfare Officer, Phulbani were present on the occasion. The programme was managed by the PA-ITDA, Phulbani. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Jyochnamayi Panda, Co-PI & Head, Gynecology Dept., KIMS.