Bhubaneswar, Odisha – On March 16, 2026, Smt. Nita M. Ambani, the Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, was given the KISS Humanitarian Award 2025. This big honor happened at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar. The award was handed over by Nobel Laureate Prof. Mohan Munasinghe from Sri Lanka. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, who started KIIT, KISS, and KIMS, was there too, along with many senior people from the schools, lots of students, and other important guests. This award is a big deal because it thanks people who do good work for others around the world. Nita Ambani got it for her hard work in helping with education, health, sports, making villages better, and giving power to women. Through Reliance Foundation, she has helped millions of people in India.
The day started with a warm welcome for Nita Ambani at the KISS campus. Hundreds of tribal students greeted her with old-style dances and drum beats at the gate. She was so happy with their show that she joined in the dance. She moved her hands and followed their steps, clapping for the excited kids. This fun moment showed her easy way with young people. Later, while talking to students, she got a special gift made by hand from them. These little things made the visit even more special. The main event was a grand meeting where everyone came together to celebrate her work.
In her talk after getting the award, Nita Ambani said nice things about Dr. Samanta. She called KIIT and KISS “two modern temples of education” that make the country proud. She felt happy to get the award but said it really belongs to the whole Reliance Foundation team. Looking at the 40,000 students at KISS, she said, “I will never forget the love and affection you have given me here.” She felt lucky to visit KIIT and KISS. She also talked about the holy land of Lord Jagannath in Odisha, praising its rich ways, old habits, good values, and how people there love nature. She told the students there is no difference between boys and girls. “Whatever boys can do, girls can do as well,” she said. She gave advice: “This is just the beginning, not your final goal. You should dream big, and to achieve those dreams, you must work hard with dedication.” She asked them to always stay on the right path. At the end, she said, “I see the future of India here in KISS. After seeing the children here, I am confident that the future of India is bright.”
Dr. Achyuta Samanta spoke first to welcome her. He said success means “bringing light into the lives of others,” not just doing things for yourself. He praised Nita Ambani for her many kinds of social work. He said she is loved and respected by everyone for her good deeds in a world full of things. “Great initiatives never go in vain if you try with dedication,” he added. He thanked her for coming and taking the award. The award has a paper with nice words and a trophy made of gold plate. The trophy shows a golden heart, meaning pure, kind, rich, and hopeful feelings. It has hands lifting a heart with shapes like waving hands, showing how hard work can change poor people’s lives and make the world better.
The KISS Humanitarian Award started in 2008 by Dr. Achyuta Samanta. It is the top honor from KISS to thank people and groups who show real care for others all over the world. Over the years, many big names have got it. For example, in 2023, Bill Gates, who started Microsoft and helps the world a lot, got it. In 2024, Dr. Ary S. Graça from FIVB, who uses sports for good, was honored. In 2021, Ratan Tata, a big business man who gives back, received it. Back in 2017, His Holiness the Dalai Lama got it for his peace work. Other past winners include Prof. Muhammad Yunus, who won Nobel for helping poor with loans in Bangladesh; Dr. Alejandro Toledo, old president of Peru; Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray from Switzerland; Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, old PM of Bhutan; Madam Edna Bomo Molewa from South Africa; Dr. Ham-Kee-Sun from South Korea; Mr. Anerood Jugnauth from Mauritius; Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Nicholas Addison Phillips from UK; His Excellency Dr. Dansa Kourouma from Guinea; and Mama Rachel Ruto, first lady of Kenya. This list shows how the award goes to leaders, prize winners, and helpers from different fields.
Nita Ambani started Reliance Foundation in 2010. It is part of Reliance Industries Ltd’s good work. Under her lead, it helps India grow in a way that lasts. They focus on education, health, sports, villages, and more. In education, they do many things. Like ShikshaNext, a Rs 170 crore plan with others to use tech and AI for better learning. It will help over 13 million kids by 2029. LiftEd is another, with $18 million to help 3.3 million kids learn reading and numbers in 15 states. They give scholarships too – 5,100 for undergrad and postgrad in 2025-26, 5,000 undergrad in 2024-25 from 100,000 who applied, and 100 postgrad in new fields. They work with Maharashtra government to train 700 workers for early kid care, reaching 10,000 children. The Skilling Academy teaches new skills for jobs. With NSDC, they help 5 lakh students in Madhya Pradesh. Over 3 lakh young people got skills, and 1.8 lakh found jobs. They hold talks on education, like on AI and early learning.
In health, they make public health better. The Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital does camps, like checking women and girls in Mumbai on Women’s Day. For sports, they help all over with programs for kids. Athletes like Jyothi Yarraji and Gulveer Singh won medals. Jyothi is first Indian in Olympics 100m hurdles. They do Olympic Day with 1,450 kids, partnering with IOC and others. In villages, Swayamshree helps 3.8 lakh women in Madhya Pradesh become rich, with Gates Foundation. Farmers like Jai Narayan double income with better farming. Milk Matters helps women with animals, like Basanti. They give help in floods in Punjab and landslides in Wayanad.
KISS is one of the biggest help projects in the world. Started in 1992, it gives free education to tribal kids in Odisha who have little. It has 40,000 students now. Dr. Samanta made it to fight poverty with learning. The award fits because it thanks those who help like this.
The event was shown live on YouTube and social media. Posts on Instagram, X, and Facebook shared clips of her dance, gift, and talk. One reel showed her dancing on arrival. Another had the gift moment. People online said nice things, calling it inspiring. This award adds to Nita Ambani’s list of honors for her giving.
Her work touches many lives. In sports, Reliance owns Mumbai Indians cricket team, and she pushes for women in games. In art, she runs the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai for shows and learning. All this shows her full way to help society.
As India grows, people like Nita Ambani lead in giving back. Her award at KISS reminds us that helping others is key. The students there, from poor homes, see her as a model. Her words to dream big will stay with them.
This honor comes when India talks more about social help. With government plans like women power and skill India, her work fits well. Reliance Foundation partners with government and others for big change.
In the end, the day was full of joy, thanks, and hope. Nita Ambani left with the award and memories from the kids. Dr. Samanta and team keep working for more good.
Background of the KISS Humanitarian Award
The award began in 2008 to honor global helpers. It goes to those who change lives. The trophy means a kind heart lifting others.
Nita Ambani’s Journey and Reliance Foundation
Born in 1963, Nita is a teacher turned helper. She started the foundation to help in many ways. Key works: education for millions, health camps, sports stars, village changes.
The Award Ceremony Highlights
Welcome with dance, she joined. Gift from kids. Speech on dreams and equality.
Past Recipients and Their Impact
Bill Gates 2023 for health help. Dalai Lama 2017 for peace. Ratan Tata 2021 for giving. Many more from world leaders.
Reliance Foundation’s Key Programs
Education: Scholarships, tech learning. Health: Hospitals, camps. Sports: Athletes, events. Villages: Women power, farm help.
Quotes from the Event
Nita: “I see the future of India here in KISS.”
Samanta: “Success is bringing light into the lives of others.”
FAQs
Q: What is the KISS Humanitarian Award?
A: It is a top honor from KISS since 2008 for people who help humanity. It has a scroll and trophy showing a kind heart.
Q: Why did Nita Ambani get it in 2025?
A: For her work in education, health, sports, villages, and women power through Reliance Foundation, helping millions.
Q: Who gave the award?
A: Nobel winner Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, with Dr. Achyuta Samanta there.
Q: What did Nita say in her speech?
A: She praised KIIT-KISS, said award for team, told students to dream big, work hard, no boy-girl difference, India future bright.
Q: Who are some past winners?
A: Bill Gates (2023), Dalai Lama (2017), Ratan Tata (2021), Muhammad Yunus, and more leaders.
Q: What does Reliance Foundation do?
A: Helps in education (scholarships, tech), health (camps), sports (athletes), villages (women, farms), reaching millions.
Q: What happened at arrival?
A: Students danced, she joined, got gift.
Q: What is KISS?
A: School for 40,000 tribal kids, free education to fight poverty