An estimated more than 10 lakh people across India have participated in some form of Art of Giving-related activity over the last five years, according to data provided by KIIT University based in Bhubaneswar
“When we started KIIT and KISS, the goal was not just to build educational institutions—it was to build platforms that could shape a more humane and inclusive society,” said Dr Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT University, noted educationist & philanthropist.
He was commenting on his noble initiative Art of Giving (AoG).
Dr. Samanta, who has been conferred multiple national and international awards for his work in education and philanthropy, maintains that the initiative reflects the foundational spirit of the institutions.
An estimated more than 10 lakh people across India have participated in some form of Art of Giving-related activity over the last five years, according to data provided by KIIT University based in Bhubaneswar.
These include food-sharing drives, skill training workshops, neighborhood clean-up efforts, and educational events.
What began as a simple idea in a university corridor has now evolved into a national movement touching lives across villages, classrooms, and city streets.
The Art of Giving, founded by Dr. Samanta, is transforming how communities engage with compassion—not just as an occasional gesture, but as a way of life.
Over the last decade, The Art of Giving has evolved from an institutional philosophy into a broader civic platform aimed at fostering empathy-driven development. While it is officially observed every year on May 17, it has been integrated into the year-round activities involving students, alumni, and faculty.
The initiative has also seen participation from KIIT alumni and international students residing abroad, who have organized events in their respective communities.
While the scale varies, institute officials noted that the ethos of the movement continues to resonate beyond India through alumni-led efforts.
“Students carry this ethos with them when they leave. It’s not just institutional branding—it’s a mindset that travels,” said a KIIT international programs coordinator.
One distinguishing factor of The Art of Giving is its decentralized structure.
Unlike large-scale charity foundations that rely on heavy infrastructure or funding, the initiative promotes micro-level giving—such as offering time, mentoring, or shared meals.
Participants are encouraged to design their own activities based on local needs.
In Bhubaneswar, several self-organized activities under The Art of Giving have been reported, including book donation drives, food-sharing initiatives, and community support efforts.
These initiatives are often led by students and volunteers who adapt the movement’s philosophy to address local needs.
Organizers attribute the model’s success to its accessibility.
Both KIIT and KISS have positioned The Art of Giving as a strategic pillar in their broader vision statements.
As The Art of Giving continues to evolve, KIIT and KISS remain focused on deepening its impact through student-led outreach and community-based activities.
Officials noted that the movement’s future lies in empowering individuals to initiate localized efforts—rather than scaling through formal structures. The institutions also plan to continue encouraging collaboration with civil society organizations, academic partners, and alumni networks to keep the spirit of the initiative alive in diverse settings.
While the initiative remains deeply rooted in Odisha, its scale and replicability have prompted interest from other educational institutions and non-profits across the country.
According to students in the end, it’s not just about giving, it’s about building habits that shape who one is, and what kind of society one wants to live in.
Speaking to media, a senior KIIT administrator described the initiative as a “community-building mechanism” that operates across urban and rural areas of Odisha.
“Whether it is blood donation camps, relief efforts during cyclones, or daily volunteering in slum schools, students and faculty are engaged in continuous outreach,” the official said.
KISS, which currently educates over 30,000 tribal students from across Odisha and neighboring states, serves as the principal beneficiary and delivery partner of many Art of Giving programs.
Founded in 1993, KISS is the world’s largest residential school and university exclusively for indigenous children and youth. All students receive education, accommodation, meals, medical care, and skill development at no cost.
According to data shared by the institute, over one million tribal children and their families have benefited from its services over the last two decades.
Most students come from economically disadvantaged households with minimal access to formal schooling.
“We’re working with first-generation learners,” said a spokesperson. “Our goal is not just academic development, but long-term social transformation.”
Alumni of KISS have gone on to join civil services, public sector jobs, private enterprises, and even return as faculty and mentors.
Several alumni-led community programs in districts such as Koraput, Mayurbhanj, and Malkangiri have been developed under the Art of Giving umbrella.
Established in 1992, KIIT is one of India’s largest private universities with a student population of over 30,000 and academic partnerships in more than 60 countries.
Apart from its technical and professional education programs, the university places significant emphasis on social responsibility.
“Our students often take on field projects addressing real challenges—be it in public health, education access, or livelihood generation,” said a faculty member from the School of Management.
“These are not peripheral activities; they’re embedded into the academic framework as part of experiential learning.
The university also runs several standalone initiatives like menstrual hygiene awareness camps, community teaching programs, legal literacy drives, and mobile healthcare vans that serve peri-urban and rural populations.
The Art of Giving has gained renewed attention in recent months as universities across India face increasing scrutiny over campus well-being, student mental health, and grievance redressal.
Although KIIT has recently faced criticism over certain campus-related incidents, officials stated that the institution has taken proactive steps to strengthen student support systems and reinforce its commitment to well-being and accountability.
Both institutions have added new counseling centers, implemented peer support models, and created anonymous feedback channels for students. “
“We have always believed that education should address emotional and psychological needs—not just academic growth,” said a KIIT faculty.
Community leaders associated with the institutes noted that the Art of Giving framework allows for a “non-hierarchical” approach to engagement.
“The idea is not to prescribe solutions but to build spaces where students, teachers, and communities collaborate directly,” an advisor to the initiative emphasised.