took place the following day. He would also regularly participate in the Deity worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Who were installed in his village’s local temple.

Being a diligent student, in 1957, Damodara passed his matriculation exam in the first division. Damodara then started college at D. M. College, one of the most prestigious colleges in Imphal, Manipur. He obtained his senior secondary education in 1959, and graduated with First Class Honors in Chemistry in 1961. He later acquired his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology in 1963 and further obtained his Master of Technology degree in Pharmaceutical Science from Calcutta University in 1964. Shortly thereafter, Damodara was awarded an overseas scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to further his studies in the United States.

Damodara with his classmates at Calcutta University, 1962 (front row, third from right)

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