In a world that is so embroiled with ignorance and materialistic pleasures that ‘simple living and high thinking’ has become a virtue of the past. In this materialistic world, we all aspire for more- better and bigger houses, comforts and luxury- that only money can buy.

Even though there aren’t many striving towards “selfless giving”, the struggle towards the great revolution of goodness has already started and the name that established it within our country is- “Art of Giving” (AOG). A vision that Prof Achyuta Samata had – to form a prosperous and selfless world. Be it the monumental movement of “Pyaar Bhara Pack” or the magnanimous “Bag of Happiness”, Prof Samanta has ignited the art and more importantly the “thinking” of Giving back.

“Compassion” remains one of the major factors behind the humongous work of Art of Giving. To simply put it, compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, mental, or emotional pains of another and themselves. To give the act of compassion a wider lens, KIIT University & KISS hosted the 39th World Congress of Poets from 2nd to 6th October at their respective campuses, With the theme of ‘compassion through poetry’. The event brought over 2000 poets from around 82 countries under one roof dedicating and uplifting the compassion which led people to see the depth of Art of Giving that Prof Samanta had envisioned. The five-day event was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and it was concluded with notes of speeches on “compassion” by the Vice president of India Mr Venkaiah Naidu, with the Governor of Odisha, Prof Ganeshi Lal.

The line-up of activities for the event included poetry reading, a book launch, special lectures and talks, book presentation and exploring various sites in Odisha including Kalabhoomi, Sun Temple, Puri and more. Sessions on Wisdom Poetry, Tourism Poetry and Spiritual Poetry will be conducted by high-profile poets and scholars.

This one-of-a-kind event was taken up, conducted and concluded by the Founder of Art of Giving and the president of the 39th World Congress of Poets- Prof Achyuta Samanta and his team KIIT and KISS Foundation.