GUWAHATI, June 24: It’s academic research that has moved an Italian girl to pass her days amongst the sadhus and babas at Kamakhya Dham. Her research is on ‘hatha yoga’, hard breathing exercises that a sadhak has to undergo. Daniela Bevilacqua from SOAS University of London, who requested this reporter not to be photographed, said: “I’ve been in this research work since 2015, and will continue till 2020. I came to India in 2004. I’ve been here in Kamakhya Dham since June 5, just for interaction with sadhaks. I’ve taken a house on rent here. I had been to most of the fairs (melas) in India like Kumbh Mela, Ujjain Mela and the like. And I’m here to go to more such melas till 2020. Since my research is on an Indian culture, learning Hindi is too important to be without. I’ve learnt Hindi first. I’m elated to be in Assam. I can feel what Atithi Devo Bhobo (a guest is no different from God) exactly is. I’ve got much after coming to Assam. I’ve realized the kind of respect given to women in this State. What keeps me enthralled is the practice of chanting the mes of Goddess first like Radhe-Shyam, Gauri-Shankar and Siya-Ram. This is a society where women have equal rights with men. This apart, woman is considered the source of all power (Shakti). A man or a God becomes powerful or potent (shaktishali) only under the influence of Shakti or Goddess of Power or a woman.”
