Bahrain awards Indian for efforts in social service

MANAMA: An Indian social entrepreneur and philanthropist has been conferred the prestigious $1 million 'Isa Award for Service to Humanity' by Bahrain's King, recognising his efforts to eradicate poverty, hunger and illiteracy in India.

Prof Achyuta Samanta, founder and director of Odisha-based Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, was given the award by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday.

Presenting the award, also carrying a gold medal and a certificate of merit, the King appreciated the efforts of Samanta, 50.

"This person has based his services to humanity on constant diligence, as he strived to find effective initiatives that would eradicate poverty, hunger, and illiteracy, while working on providing the less fortunate with job opportunities and a better standard of living," he said.

"His initiative grew to become one of the biggest in Eastern India, offering free state-of-the-art education and accommodation on an independent campus," the King said.

This initiative involves thousands of children and young people from the poorest families, to become a unique, unprecedented achievement and an example of giving and selflessness, he said.

Samanta expressed honour in being given the award and said it would be a catalyst for him to carry on his humanitarian work.

Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was also present during the award ceremony.

Established in 2009 by the King, the award is presented every two years to either individuals or organisations who have been selected through a gruelling process by an expert panel of jurists.