KISS-DU Remembers Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on His 65th Death Anniversary
The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University observed the 65th Death Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on 6th December, 2021 in a blended mode. Dr. Rabindra Garada, Head of the Department of Sociology, Utkal University and Professor Ravindra Kumar, Professor of Sociology, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) were invited as the Chief Speaker and Chief Guest respectively. KISS-DU’s senior functionaries, the faculty members, and the Research Scholars attended the function.
Delivering the welcome address, Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice-Chancellor, KISS-DU highlighted the significant contributions of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Professor Behera mentioned the vision and mission of Dr. Ambedkar in building the nation and his fight against the social stigma and ostracism faced by dalits. He also highlighted the objectives behind setting up the Dr. Ambedkar Chair at KISS- DU and how it is in sync with the vision and mission of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KISS & KIIT. He also thanked the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India for establishing the Chair at KISS-DU.
Senior Functionaries of KISS-DU felicitating the Chief Guest 
Dr. Iswar Chandra Naik proposing Vote of Thanks 
Prof. Rabindra Kumar addressing the participants 
Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray introducing the esteemed guests 
Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera delivering the Welcome Address 
Dr. Rabindra Garada addressing the attendees in hybrid-mode 
Event organized in blended-mode
Professor Ravindra Kumar highlighted the writings and speeches of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He underlined that Dr. Ambedkar is known for academics, social movements, and statesmanship. The concepts of Dr. Ambedkar concerning liberty, equality, and fraternity have been derived from Buddhist thought, he said, adding that his thesis on “the problem of Rupee” is the idea behind the inception of the RBI. He also discussed various sections of the 22 volumes written by Dr. Ambedkar at length.
Dr. Rabindra Garada spoke about the early life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar with a focus on higher Education abroad and how his thesis idea was converted into the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He threw light on Round Table Conferences, drafting of the Constitution, providing Hindu Code Bill, and opposing Article 370. Furthermore, he shared Dr. Ambedkar’s journey of converting to Buddhism. Dr. Garada touched upon the dialectical philosophical thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar, Karl Marx, and Gandhi and mentioned how the three are different. He concluded his speech by talking about the philosophy of Absolutism, Relativism, and Pragmatism and his mantra of “educate, agitate and organize.”
While introducing the guests, Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU mentioned the contributions of KISS towards the Adivasi children and community as a whole. He also highlighted how KISS is fulfilling the fundamental rights, including the Right to Education, through the vision of the great leader Dr. Ambedkar. Talking in the context of KISS, Dr. Routray supplemented by saying that KISS is progressing in the footsteps of Dr. Ambedkar by practicing the 3E formula (Educate, Enable, Empower) coined by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.
Dr. Iswar Chandra Naik, Chair Professor (I/C), Dr. Ambedkar Chair, KISS-DU stated that Dr. Achyuta Samanta’s vision of promoting education among Adivasi children and the philosophy of Dr. B. R Ambedkar are in sync with each other. He also proposed a vote of thanks.