Pujya Swamiji Awarded Honorary Degree of D.Litt by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences

Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji was awarded the honorary degree of D.Litt by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences during their 3rd Convocation ceremony.

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) the first University exclusively for tribal students was established in 1993 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha and was accorded Deemed University status in 2017.

During their third convocation ceremony, the Founder of KIIT and KISS University Achyuta Samanta warmly welcomed Param Pujya Swamiji, the Hon’ble Governor of Chattisgarh Shri Biswabhushan Harichandanji, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha Shri Raghubar Dasji, G20 Sherpa, Govt of India, Former CEO Niti Aayog Shri Amitabh Kantji, internationally renowned Indian music composer and three-time Grammy award winner Dr Ricky G Kej and other dignitaries and shared the laudable efforts of the institution to provide education, skill development and many other services to tribal communities.

The University conferred Honoris Causa Degrees of D.Litt. upon Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President and Spiritual Head, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh for His excellence in service of humanity and spiritual leadership.

Just prior to the ceremony, addressing a gathering of 40,000 tribal students representing 63 diverse tribal traditions, Pujya Swamiji said that KISS is a beacon of hope towards eradicating hunger and poverty through education and has truly established India globally in protection, preservation and empowerment of the Tribal communities of India. He added, “This temple of education has awakened the hunger for education in the tribal communities by providing the students with a wide range of subjects to study and graduate like philosophy, environment, science, technology, management, language, heritage, law, tribal culture, spirituality etc. In addition to education, the University keeps alive the ancient culture of India and connects the young generation to their roots, values, traditions and environment.”

He urged the youth not to run away from problems and challenges but to wake up, face them and move forward. He added, “Youth should be dedicated, loyal, dutiful and energetic towards their work, utilise time wisely, recognise opportunities, be updated and keep their spiritual and cultural traditions alive.

If the youth of any nation are aware, loyal and dedicated towards their goals, then that country can reach the pinnacle of progress. Hence, the youth need to develop a sense of dedication towards their country alongside their success. This will inspire them to deal with future challenges and increase their spiritual and physical strength because the country’s identity, abilities and capabilities increase with the education of its citizens.

Today’s India needs courageous, focused and concentrated youth. These qualities come when you are strong and grounded from within and stay connected to your values.”

Pujya Swamiji filled the young people with great enthusiasm and inspired them to be the change they want to see in the future.

In conclusion, He inspired them to be ambassadors and advocates for Routine Immunisation and spread the message of vaccination in their families and communities. Pujya Swamiji led the tribal youth to pledge that they would ensure their families and their community’s children under the age of five would get their immunisation from their local Government Health Centres and had them chant the slogan ‘Paanch Saal Saat Baar, Chute na Tika Ek Bhi Baar’.  He said the blessings of Jagannath Puri protected their mental and spiritual health, and immunisation protected their physical health.

Pujya Swamiji presented the divine Rudraksha plant as a blessing to the guests and university officials.