KISS Project K-MUSE launches the Center for Women’s Studies.

On September 3, 2024, the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) opened the Center for Women’s Studies, a major step toward the institution’s goal of encouraging multidisciplinary discussion and study on women’s leadership and rights.

 The inaugural party was arranged under the auspices of Kalinga Conversations, a Project K-MUSE, KISS endeavor to address important modern concerns about living cultures and customs. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, made an enlightening speech.

The ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, and then KISS kids sang a welcoming song in the Kuvi language called “Aya Darti Rani.” This song, which honors Dharti Rani, the Earth Goddess, created a solemn tone for the day and represents the harmony and prosperity that the Center for Women’s Studies seeks to foster.

Professor Dr. Amareswar Galla, the Pro-Chancellor of KISS, gave a brief description of Project K-MUSE and underlined the importance of women’s studies in the context of KISS in his welcoming speech. He emphasized the Center’s critical role in advancing women’s research and strategic planning, reaffirming the university’s commitment to diversity and academic quality.

The Center’s first director, Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, who is also the dean of KISS-DU’s School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights, gave an overview of the organization and its long-term goals. She emphasized the critical need for programs like this Center, especially in view of the low number of women in leadership positions in a variety of fields, such as the judiciary and higher education.

Professor Dr. Diane Bell, a renowned feminist anthropologist and supporter of women’s rights and Indigenous knowledge, gave the keynote lecture. Professor Bell stressed the transformational power of such academic endeavors in promoting social change in her speech, drawing on her substantial scholarship and engagement in the field of women’s studies.

A panel discussion with distinguished speakers was another highlight of the event. The panelists were Professor Dr. Adyasha Das from the Ministry of Tourism at IITTM; Ms. Anushree Dash, TEDx speaker and founder of ADiBha She Vision (NGO); and Professor Dr. Swarnamayee Tripathy, professor emeritus at KISS-DU. Under the topic “Why a Centre for Women’s Studies,” the panel, which was presided over by Dr. Pragyan Mohanty, explored the important problems and prospects in this discipline.

The conversations brought to light the urgent need for more women to hold leadership roles and the value of academic forums like the Centre for Women’s Studies in promoting gender parity.

To further enhance the conversation, attendees—both in person and virtually—had the chance to interact with the panelists and speakers during the lively Q&A session that followed the program. Dr. Sushree Sangita Mohanty, Co-Director, of Education, Applied Research and Multilingual Programming, Project K-MUSE, organized and moderated the session.