Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, received the 2025 KISS Humanitarian Award at the campus of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in recognition of her contributions to social and humanitarian causes.
The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Mohan Munasinghe in the presence of Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, along with other dignitaries and thousands of students.
Speaking at the event, Ambani encouraged students to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. Addressing more than 40,000 students of the institute, she said their current achievements were just the beginning and urged them to remain focused and determined in pursuing their ambitions.
She also stressed the importance of equality in opportunities for both boys and girls, saying that everyone has the potential to succeed. Ambani advised the students to stay on the path of honesty and values while building their future.
During her speech, Ambani praised the work of KISS and KIIT, describing them as institutions that have transformed the lives of thousands of underprivileged children by providing free education and opportunities. She said the institutions have created a powerful model of inclusive education.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Ambani said the award belongs to the entire team of Reliance Foundation that works across India in areas such as education, healthcare, rural development, sports and women’s empowerment. She also said meeting the students at KISS was inspiring and gave her confidence about the country’s future.
Ambani also appreciated the rich culture and traditions of Odisha and said she felt privileged to visit the land associated with Lord Jagannath.
Instituted in 2008, the KISS Humanitarian Award is the highest honour of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences and recognises individuals and organisations for outstanding service to humanity.
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