Turning a page in Art of Giving

D.N. Singh

That was just the turning of a page, not the pinnacle of an illustrious beginning by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, noted educationist and social activist. Then it became unstoppable and raced over a thousand hurdles, leaving behind many milestones for others.

The hiatus induced by the pandemic became a touchstone as the family of Art of Giving rose from thousands to millions when community contribution was introduced the Art grew exponentially.

It is said that charity begins at home and in the backyard of Dr. Samanta founded KISS, which can undeniably be said as one of the brightest examples of the Art of Giving; where thousands of boys and girls drawn from tribal and other backward backgrounds are being groomed free.

Dr. Samanta says, “It is not a simple task but morally binding as we have to look beyond certain boundaries and take on some such challenges that can serve as a respite for the boys and girls who need it the most.”

20 million smiles:

From that time onwards, AOG became what it was meant to be, ‘by the public, of the public and for the public’. In 2018, ‘Pyaar Bhara Pack’ was a huge success when 20 million meals were distributed. Yet again another big leap for AOG when Bag of Happiness united people in 2019 with Happiness kits were given to students.

Easing the pains of COVID-19, AOG straight took on a fight against the pandemic in 2020 with the theme ‘AOG Fights Corona’ thus acknowledging the COVID warriors and helping the victims.

In 2021 ‘My Mother, My Hero’ was the theme encouraging AOG communities to write letters of gratitude to mothers and caregivers.

In 2022 ‘Hope, Happiness and Harmony’ became the theme to support and connect through love, compassion, empathy, kindness, and gratitude, a few of the cementing catalysts that helped AOG stand like a rock pillar.

Today, in 2024, the decade of Art of Giving wore the theme of ‘Helping the Help’ and has become another goal post for millions of givers.

Dr. Samanta has a pragmatic bent of mind of foreseeing the way forward and it was a huge increase with over 20 million followers and 1.5 million members, the AOG family has grown exponentially.

The conveners from over 300 locations in 120 countries across the globe, all states in India, and all panchayats and blocks of Odisha work throughout the year to spread the message of the Art of Giving and Volunteerism.

Social media, however, played a front-runner part in pegging AOG’s likes touching 10 million besides a huge follower base that interacts virtually to unite the world by the spirit of giving.