Bhubaneswar: The fifth anniversary of the International Day of Art of Giving was celebrated in around 80 countries across the globe with passion and delight Thursday. Several organisations, prominent personalities from various walks of life as well as the masses took active part in this unique celebration – the brainchild of educationist and KIIT and KISS founder, Achyuta Samanta.
Separate programmes were organised at Unit-III Exhibition Ground and Janta Maidan in the capital city where fan clubs of KIIT, KISS and Dr Achyuta Samanta celebrated ‘Art of Giving’ event. This year, the theme of the programme was ‘ Pyar Bhara Pack – Feeding with Love’. With around 1 lakh people turning up to celebrate the day in the city this year, both venues witnessed huge crowds of participants who shared the joy of giving by sharing food packets with each other. A cycle rally was also organised from the Exhibition Ground to KIIT University on the occasion.
In addition to the two programmes in the capital city, KIIT Students’ and Parents’ Associations are celebrating ‘Art of Giving’ events in around 6,500 venues across the state covering all the panchayats. Moreover, organisations celebrated the event at 3,000 more locations across the county.
A city-based NGO organised an event on the occasion here and distributed food to children of people undergoing prison terms. Another separate programme was also held at the Ekamra Haat, which was attended by members of Artistes’ Association.
Almost all orphanages and old age homes in the capital city, including the SOS Children’s Village, also organised programmes to mark the day.
Talking to the media ahead of the celebrations, Samanta said ‘Art of Giving’ is a philosophy of life aimed at spreading peace and happiness among people. “The idea came to my mind first May 17, 2013 and I founded ‘Art of Giving’ on the same day. You will be happy to known that it was born out of my experiences of acute poverty and hunger. It also manifests the humility in receiving and the pleasure in giving I have experienced since by childhood days.”