Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti

  In a remarkable display of cultural exchange and spiritual exploration, a 47-year-old Israeli national, Edgar Faingor, embraced the Eka Sarana Nama Dharma, founded by the great polymath Srimanta Sankardeva. Initiated at Bali Sattra in Kaliabor, Edgar's journey into Vaishnavism marks a significant milestone. He became the first foreign national to take initiation in Eka Sarana Nama Dharma. The initiation ceremony was conducted by the Satradhikar of Baghargaon Satra, Hiru Prasad Mahanta. He renamed Edgar Faingor as Krishna Sharana Bhakat.  This event was culmination of communication with me over a long time. It underscores the global appeal and universality of Vaishnavism, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. Edgar's spiritual quest began with his extensive travels across numerous countries, where he delved into the study of various religions, eventually finding solace in Buddhism. However, his exposure to my works sparked a profound connection with the teaching

            I attended the national seminar on ‘Development and sustainability: Emerging challenges in Northeast India, with special reference to Arunachal Pradesh’ held in Government College, Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh on 30th January, 2024. I arrived on the previous day with my family and was received by Dr Vineeta Dowera and other faculty members in the Circuit House of Bomdila. Then Chorten Norbu took us around the town for sight-seeing.         I delivered the key-note address in the seminar, organised by the Commerce Department, in collaboration with the higher & technical education directorate, Govt of Arunachal Pradesh . My theme was "Conflict between Development and Nature: case for sustainability." I said that the fall-out of the development process is that the use of machinery and equipment go on increasing, the power requirements also rising along with it. All these mean extraction of natural resources from earth and converting them to commodities for use in