The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 7, 2025
With the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas kicking off here on Wednesday, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has honoured the Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr. Achyuta Samanta with the first-ever PIO Excellence Award in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to education and tribal empowerment. The award was given away during the ‘PIOs Dialogue with India 2025’ session, organized by KIIT-DU.
Themed “Empowering Global Connections: The Role of PIOs in Emerging India,” the programme brought together dignitaries and leaders from around the world.
Alongside Dr. Samanta, Shanmugan Mookkan, OSD to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Professor Ajay Kumar Dubey from JNU were also recognized for their contributions.
A major highlight of the event was the proposal to host an International Cultural Festival for the Indian Diaspora every four years in India. The festival aims to celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of People of Indian Origin (PIO) globally and strengthen their ties with India.
The session also marked the launch of the GOPIO International Chair at KIIT-DU, an initiative dedicated to promoting research and innovation concerning the Indian diaspora. This chair will facilitate academic studies and document the contributions of PIOs across the globe.
Dr. Samanta, in his speech, expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is an honour for KIIT and KISS to host one of the sessions of PIOs. KIIT has grown from 12 students to over 80,000 today, and KISS has become a revolution in the country. I hope our distinguished guests are pleased to witness this progress.”
- Ravendiran Arjunan, Secretary General of GOPIO International, lauded KIIT’s remarkable growth, stating, “The KIIT township has expanded tremendously. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas itself was initiated following a request by PIOs to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and today, it is crucial to preserve and document the contributions of PIOs to nation-building.”
Reflecting on the historical significance of Odisha, Arjunan said, “Kalinga was once renowned for its traders and businessmen who travelled worldwide. Their contributions are often forgotten, and it is time to preserve their legacy.”
Dr. Ponnusamy Muthayah, President of GOPIO International, traced the origins of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, emphasizing how the conference has helped bring the diaspora closer to India.
Vinay Dussoye, Vice President of GOPIO, stressed the importance of protecting Indian culture and civilization, proposing the International Cultural Festival as a vital step in reinforcing global connections. “Engaging the diaspora is the responsibility of our younger generation. We must establish a strong presence in international business and ensure cultural preservation,” he said.
Former Diplomat and Director General of International Relations at KIIT-DU, Debraj Pradhan, highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in India’s growth, while Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT-DU, underscored their significant contributions to the country’s development. Prof. Debasish Bandopadhyay, Pro Vice-Chancellor, extended vote of thanks and acknowledged the proposal for the cultural festival.
