Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti

Majuli, one of the largest river islands in the world has been in the news for last several years for the consistent bids to the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO for World Heritage status. The World Heritage Committee not only decides whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, but also defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from the States Parties. That is why its inscription assumes an added dimension. The Committee can however defer its decision and can request for further information on properties from the States Parties. This happened in the case of Majuli. The World Heritage Committee sought further data on the nominations each time. World Heritage Committee also examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not properly managed. It also deletes properties from the list of World Heritage in case such properties are in danger or ...

Madhumita and I celebrated Silver Jubilee of our journey together on July 8 by taking a family trip to Diphu in Karbi Anglang. We had married on July 8, 1990 in a solemn function at Dibrugarh. A quarter century passed since then.  Our daughter Airy has completed post-graduation and Sarvajit is doing graduation. It was vacation time for all. So all were at home. We decided to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of our marriage quietly with nature. Diphu was the place I decided as the others had not been to that place. There was great expectation. We travelled to Diphu in Karbi Anglong district early in the day. The road from Doboka to Diphu was picturesque. We visited the botanical garden and a cathedral in Diphu town. Airy and Sarvajit accompanied us.  We had lunch at the Little Dragon restaurant. Then we decided to return via Lumding.  The Diphu-Lumding road turned out to be a dangerous jungle road. The road was totally damaged. In most parts the road was unbelievab...

I have always considered Srimanta Sankaradeva as my role model. His multi-faceted contributions fascinate me. Our socio-cuItural lives are permeated by his influence even now. I feel proud that he was born in Assam. But very little was known about him outside Assam till some time ago. It has therefore been my endeavour to let people know about him and his unparalleled works. I have written what I have learnt about his life, works and philosophy. Till date 26 books about the saint have been published from my pen in both English and Assamese. I have written in Times of India, Prabuddha Bharata, Bhavan’s Journal etc about the saint. My personal blog www.borkakoti.blogspot.in has details of these works. But sometimes I feel that all these are not sufficient as people are gradually giving up reading books or journals, because of either change in taste or professional compulsions. A different medium is necessary to spread the message of the saint. However at the same time I was impres...