Prof. Muhammad Yunus: KISS Humanitarian Award 2018
Prof. Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, Bangladesh was conferred with the 11th KISS Humanitarian Award on 11 May 2018.
The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted in 2008 by the founder of KIIT and KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta to honour and recognise individuals with an exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields related to social issues.
Prof. Muhammad Yunus in his acceptance speech said: ” This experience at KIIT and KISS took me to Disneyland, things that happen in fairy tales, the kind of discipline I see here is not easy, something happens when you come here.”
Appreciating the efforts of Dr Samanta, he said
” KIIT and KISS started with 10-12 students, not too far in history and now it’s a 75,000 membered strong family. He has a hand of a magician. Only a visitor can see the amazing quality of this land, the one who is here, will not realize it’s quality as much. It distances you from the reality and translating the dream into reality is the future. “
With utmost humility, he said, “Going through this experience, I feel awkward. The most deserving person to get the award is Dr Samanta. I offer the award to him.
He advised, “Imagine the wildest imagination. Imagination is power. It will make things happen. Imagination should be a priority. KISS, KIIT, Grameen Bank are the manifestation of wild imagination. The scientific discoveries of today were inspired by science fiction years back. The everyday experience of today is the wild imagination of past. Unless we imagine, it will not happen. We should be writing social fiction. That imagination will bring life in a different setup.”
Many other events are slated for the day. Prof. Yunus will launch his book ” A world of three Zeroes“. KISS will also sign MoU with Yunus Centre for Social Business.
The other prominent individuals who have received the prestigious award are – Edna Bomo Molewa, (2008), Dr Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea (2009), Sir Anerood Jugnauth, His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010), Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of U.K (2011), Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012), Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland (2013), Anne Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (2014), Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland (2015) and Hollywood actor and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Global Goodwill Ambassador Ashley Judd (2016).
