The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences – Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) on Saturday conferred its prestigious KISS Lifetime Achievement Award on Mr. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute (USA), recognising his lifelong dedication to global peace, nuclear disarmament, and international rule of law. The award was presented by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS.

A Distinguished Global Voice for Nuclear Disarmament

Mr. Granoff, an internationally acclaimed attorney and peace advocate, has spent decades raising global awareness about the urgent dangers of nuclear weapons.
He has addressed the US Congress, UK Parliament, and the Canadian Parliament, and serves as a Senior Advisor to the World Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates.
In 2020, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the American Bar Association for pioneering impactful legal advocacy.

“Humbling Recognition,” Says Granoff

Expressing gratitude in his acceptance speech, Mr. Granoff described KISS as “an extraordinary institution shaping character and learning.”
Calling the honour deeply humbling, he said he has always tried to live in alignment with “the integrity of conscience.”
He urged students to remain grateful to KISS and KIIT for transforming the lives of indigenous children.

Praise for the ‘Art of Giving’ Movement

Speaking to a packed auditorium, Mr. Granoff highlighted Dr. Samanta’s global humanitarian initiative, the Art of Giving movement, calling it an expression of compassion and love that emerges with wisdom and life experience.

Lessons from South Africa and Mandela

Reflecting on his recent speech at the FW de Klerk Memorial in Cape Town, Mr. Granoff praised South Africa as the only nation to voluntarily dismantle its nuclear arsenal.
He invoked Nelson Mandela’s moral leadership, emphasising his triumph over anger and resentment despite 27 years of unjust imprisonment.
He urged students to cultivate compassion, humility, courage, generosity, and love.

Addressing 21st Century Moral Challenges

Mr. Granoff stressed the urgent ethical challenges of the modern world—climate crisis, environmental degradation, and weapons of mass destruction.
Traditional moral lessons, he noted, must evolve to confront these unprecedented global threats.

“Treat the lives and well-being of future generations as we want to be treated,”
he said, describing this as the core philosophy of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He encouraged the KISS community to uphold dignity, respect, and generosity of spirit.

Dr. Samanta: “An Honour with a Human Touch”

Conferring the award, Dr. Achyuta Samanta said KISS was “happy and honoured” to welcome a global peace icon like Mr. Granoff.
He reaffirmed KISS—home to over 40,000 indigenous students—as the “eighth wonder of the world,” adding that the award symbolises “an honour with a human touch.”

Dignitaries Present

KIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Saranjit Singh and KISS CEO Prof. Prashanta Kumar Routray attended the ceremony.

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