Home page of Santosh Kumar

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I am an Indian born and brought up around  Nalanda (Sea of Knowledge) district which was a famous center of Buddhist learning  during 5th-12th centuries AD. This was the first residential international university of the world where 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied. Founded in the fifth century AD, Nalanda is well known as an ancient seat of learning. However, today this ancient university lies in ruins. The place not only has the remains of the great university but also many monasteries, temples, and viharas built by different kings.

Elating facts (must read): The longest running university of India was the Nalanda University in Nalanda, Bihar. It was built in the 6th century B.C. by Narsimha Deva and was active up till the 13th century. Thus, the University ran without any hindrance for 700 years. It was a world wide acclaimed university of that time and students from far off countries used to come and gain knowledge here. The admission was secured on the basis of a very tough entrance exam. Knowledge was imparted on virtually all subjects including science, philosophy, medicine, warfare etc. Its fame ran not only in India but also in south-east and central Asia. Its Mathematical as well as the Astronomical department was quite renowned. In fact Nalanda was the first university in the world to have given Astronomy a separate status from Mathematics. When Hsuen Tsang visited Nalanda he was astonished to see the collection of books in the library. The books contained in the library belonged to a wide range of topics, which he had never seen before in his life.

Hsuen Tsang also refers to his interaction with the gatekeeper of the library. Who he says knew far lot more than him in almost all the subjects including Medicine and Astronomy. Unfortunately many of the works of Hsuan Tsang got lost in Brahmaputra river during his return journey to China, as such our knowledge about Nalanda and its students are very limited

In 1200 A.D. Islamic zealots led by Bhaktiyar Khilji destroyed the Nalanda university completely. It is said that the library containing invaluable books, kept on burning for nearly six months. With the library all the knowledge that mankind had gained in years went into the flame.

What Newton discovered many centuries later (Gravity) had already been discovered by the students and teachers of Nalanda university. The books were thrown into the flames by persons who thought that there is no truth other than that written in Quran. And thus pushed the India into the dark age through which she is still groping to pass through

My exact place of birth is Biharsharif in state of Bihar in India ( must read).Biharsharif  is a famous pilgrimage for Muslim of India and is district headquarter of Nalanda district. My family is living in this town from since 1970. Before 1970 we lived at Rajgir a small town, 15 kms away from Biharsharif, 8 kms away from Nalanda and 5 kms from Silao. My ancestral village name is Narhar Bigha, 2 kms away from Silao (that is very popular for its local sweet "Khaja").

My educational journey started from Sainik School Tilaiya where I spent my formative years. This  was a military school where emphasis was more on all-round development of students. After this I landed up in delhi for my undergrad in economics at Ramjas College (D.U.) and for Master degree at Delhi School of Economics popularly known as " D School". From thereon destiny brought me here to Houston (USA) for my PhD. The real meaning of my name is "Satisfaction-One who is always satisfied" but I do not believe in this literal meaning of my name. My belief is that the moment one is satisfied or stop dreaming he/she dies. And I do not want a  premature death (lol....). My core family consists of Parent (Mom & Dad), two elder sisters ( both married) and one younger brother ( Captain Ashutosh, Indian Army). This family of six members  has been enlarged by the arrival of offspring of my sisters ( Rishu, Puja, Nisha, Golu amd kitty). We brothers are yet to tie knot but we are not averse to it(?). My home phone is - 91-6112-220281

                                                              Proud to be Bihari..........