Dr. Nipam Kumar Saikia

Dr. Nipam Kumar Saikia

M.A., Ph.D., NET, SLET
Assistant Professor (Stage III)

Department of English
Date of Joining: 21/03/2001
Mobile: +919101363016
E-mail: professorsaikia@gmail.com
Area of Specialization: Fiction, Drama and Criticism

A brief description of my Ph.D. thesis: I was awarded Ph.D. by Gauhati University for my thesis “Girmitiya Consciousness and Naipaul” under the supervision of Professor Ranjit Kumar Dev Goswami (retired as Srimanta Sankardeva Chair Professor, Centre for Assamese Studies, Tezpur University Professor and Head, Department of English, Gauhati University), on July 2, 2013.

In my thesis I have tried to establish that Naipaul’s acute consciousness to his historicity makes him different from the other Caribbean writers, and it takes him to girmit ideology, to an act of labour, “a labour that would repeat an earlier moment, the original moment of arrival” of the poorest labourers from Indian villages, one of whom was his grandfather, to get rid of their pitiable plight. Naipaul’s girmitiya consciousness, therefore, designates a form of consciousness in which there is a “subaltern knowledge category” that grew out of the collective indenture ethos. Naipaul in his The Mystic Masseur (1957), A House for Mr Biswas (1961), The Mimic Men (1967), and The Enigma of Arrival (1987) casts himself in the role of the dispassionate recorder of the girmitiya consciousness viewing the cultural baggage from the homeland as an expendable burden. It is because of the effect of his girmitiya consciousness that in his travelogues the subject matter is, as in his fiction, the constant negotiation of where the individual is situated: country or city, inside the community or outside, within tradition or outside, and in the colonized world or postcolonial societies. Particularly his travelogues The Middle Passage: Impressions of Five Colonial Societies (1962), An Area of Darkness (1964), India: A Wounded Civilisation (1977), and India: A Million Mutinies Now (1990) are on two countries, Trinidad and India, which have been the source of his continuous depression as well as his creative spirit. While Trinidad is the country of his birth, the land to which his forefathers came as girmitiyas, India is the original country of his ancestors which they were forced to leave to escape poverty.

Experience in teaching: I have been working as Assistant Professor in the Department of English of Biswanath College, affiliated to Gauhati University, since 21st March, 2001. Prior to that I worked as lecturer (non-sanctioned) in the Department of English of Biswanath College from 2nd January, 1998 to 20th March, 2001, for more than three years. 

Writing career:  I have been writing short stories and articles both in English and Assamese for the following newspapers and literary journals:

1. “Poetry, Music and Society: A Study of Bob Dylan and Bhupen Hazarika”, a research paper published in Margins: A Journals of Literature & Culture in Vol. V-VI, 2019, ISSN: 22500731.

2. Ek Hindustani Ki Kahani (short story in Hindi translated from my English story The Tale of an Indian), India Today Sahitya Varshiki 2018-19, India Today’s yearly literary magazine in Hindi;

3. An Elegy of a Morning, (short story in English), Indian Literature, Sahitya Akademi’s Journal in English, July-August, 2018, ISSN 0019-5804

4. Xuinyot Anka Chobi, (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (September 16-31, 2017), ISSN: 0971-5932;

5. Punji, (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (December 1-15, 2017), ISSN: 0971-5932;

6. “Geetikobitar Xahityadharmitar Prekhyapotot Bob Dylan aru Bhupen Hazarikar Geet” (a research article in Assamese on Bob Dylan and Bhupen Hazarika), Prakash, a literary journal in Assamese (November, 2016), ISSN 2279-0683;

7. “Bob and Bhupen, two of a kind” (an article in English), The Hindu, a national daily, (October 18, 2016);

8. “Poet and ‘non-poet’”, (a research article), Anudhyan, a bilingual research journal in Assamese (December, 2016), ISBN: 978-81-928042-8-6;

9. “Naipaul: literary circumnavigator” (article in English),The Assam Tribune, an English daily (November 3, 2001);

10. The road not taken (short story in English), The Assam Tribune, an English daily (March 16, 2003);

11. A countryside ballad (short story in English), The Assam Tribune, an English daily (July 20, 2003);

12 “Pinteresque Plays” (article in English), The Assam Tribune, an English daily (October 29, 2005);

13. Bhoy (short story in Assamese), Gariyoshi, a literary magazine in Assamese (April, 2007), ISSN: 2349-5324;

14. Soulful humanist (article in English), The Assam Tribune, an English daily (May 4, 2007);

— Doris Lessingor Xahityakriti (article in Assamese), Gariyoshi, a literary magazine in Assamese (November, 2007), ISSN: 2349-5324;

15. Putra-xukh (short story in Assamese), Gariyoshi, a literary magazine in Assamese (April, 2008), ISSN: 2349-5324;

16. Homeward bound (short story in English), The Assam Tribune, an English daily (April 27, 2008);

17. Eta Puar Elegy (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (May 16-31, 2008), ISSN: 0971-5932;

18. Binudan (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (September 1-15, 2008), ISSN: 0971-5932;

19. Eta Podyor Akhora (short story in Assamese), Gariyoshi, a literary magazine in Assamese (October, 2008);

20. “For whom should we vote?” (article in English),The Assam Tribune, an English daily (April 12, 2014), ISSN: 2349-5324;

21. Bima (short story in Assamese), Amar Xomoy, The Times of India’s literary journal in Assamese (April to September issue, 2009);

22. Utsav (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (August 16-31, 2009),

ISSN: 0971-5932;

23. “The Scale of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s Songs” (article in English), Luitor Pora Thamesoloi, an annual bilingual research journal (2009);

24. The Nostalgic Journey (short story in English), Luitor Pora Thamesoloi, an annual bilingual research journal (2010);

25. Natokor Shes Drishya (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (February 1-15, 2010), ISSN: 0971-5932;

26. Tejor Saanku (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (August 16-31, 2010), ISSN: 0971-5932;

27. Karlmarxor Haanhi (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (November 16-31, 2010), ISSN: 0971-5932;

28. Irin Mor Premika (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (April 16-30, 2011),ISSN: 0971-5932;

29. Shilpi (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (July 1-15, 2013),ISSN: 0971-5932;

30. The wish (short story in English), The Assam Tribune (January 26, 2014);

31. “For whom should we vote?” (article in English),The Assam Tribune, an English daily (April 12, 2014);

31. Jeans Pant (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (July 16-31, 2014),ISSN: 0971-5932;

32. Mombatir Puhor (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (November 16-30, 2014),ISSN: 0971-5932;

33. Uchchata (short story in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (January 16-30, 2014),ISSN: 0971-5932;

34. A Nostaljik Journey (short story in English), The Assam Tribune (June 7, 14 and 21, 2015);

35. From real to reel (article on Assamese movies), The Assam Tribune (August 6, 2016).

36. “Antorastriya Prekhyapotot Bharatar Uchcha Shikhya aru Prathomik Shikhyar Gunagata Maan”. (an article in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (August 1-15, 2007), ISSN: 0971-5932;

37. “Binamra Acharan aru Bharatiyosakal”. (an article in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (January 15-31, 2007), ISSN: 0971-5932;

38. “Gandhijir Ejon Prokrito Shisya Baba Amte”, Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (August 16-31, 2006), ISSN: 0971-5932;

39. “Harold Pinter aru Adhunik Engraji Natak” (an article in Assamese), Prantik, a literary magazine in Assamese (November 1-15, 2005), ISSN: 0971-5932.

Awards/Achievements:

1. Best short story award from Prantik, leading literary magazine in Assamese, for the year 2015 and 2017.

2. Awarded Senior Fellowship for 2018-19 in the field of literature, sub-field English, by Union Ministry of Culture.

3. Awarded Teacher Fellowship by UGC in 2010 for doing Ph.D.

Association with National School of Drama

National School of Drama invited me as a member of the Screening Committee for the 8th Theatre Olympics, the mega international theatre event, held in India for the first time from February 17 to April 8, 2018.  I was at National School of Drama to be the part of the mammoth work of short-listing the qualitative dramas for the mega event from October 4 to 14, 2017.

I again worked as Screening Committee member from October 4 to 12, 2018, for Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2019.  

I was invited by National School of Drama as a Screening Committee Member for Poorvottar Natya Samaroh for two days on November 4 and 5, 2018. 

Association with Sangeet Natak Akademi

I participated as a resource person in the Script Reading and Analysis Sessions of Sangeet Natak Akademi held in Guwahati on October 30 and 31, 2018.

I participated as a resource person in the seminar of Bal Natya Samaroh organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi from November 27 to 30, 2018, at Tezpur.

Book publications:  

(1) Eta Puwar Elegy, a collection of Assamese short stories, by Aank Baak, Guwahati, in 2008.

(2) Irin Mor Premika, a collection of short stories in Assamese, published by Banalata, Guwahati and Dibrugarh, in November, 2011. ISBN 978-93-82750-18-S

(3) Apremor Shesot, a collection of short stories in Assamese,  published by Papyrus, Guwahati, in 2018. ISBN 978-81-936055-5-8

Translation work:

1. I have translated one hundred pages of L.K. Advani’s autobiographical book My Country, My Life into Assamese

2. Chabin Alun, the Karbi Ramayan, into English for Sahitya Akademi.

Association with music: I am associated with music as singer and song-writer.

Refresher Course, Orientation Courses, Seminar, Conference and Workshop

  1. Organised an international webinar as IQAC coordinator on “Mahatma Gandhi and His Legacy” on 7th September, 2020, at Biswanath College. Internationally acclaimed biographer, historian, ecologist, anthropologist, cricket writer, former visiting professor of London School of Economics and Stanford University, Padma Bhushan awardee and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Professor Ramachandra Guha participated in it as a resource person.
  2. Worked as one of the coordinators of online multi-disciplinary career counseling series on academics, entrepreneurship, competitive examinations, management, skill development and social work organized by IQAC in collaboration of ICC, Biswanath College from August 20th to 25th, 2020.
  3. Participated in the three-day international conference on “Impact of COVID-19: A Global Challenge” organized by Gossaigaon College, Assam, from July 29th to 30th, 2020, and presented a paper on “Role of Literature in the World Affected by COVID-19”.
  4. Participated in one week Faculty Development Programme on “Impact of Literature on Youth in Current Situation” organized by UGC-Human Resource Development Centre of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune,  from July 24.07.2020 to 30.07.2020
  5. Participated in the “86th Short Term Course on E-Content Development” during 09.07.2020 to 15.07.2020 organised by UGC-Human Resource Development Centre of Gujarat University.
  6. Participated in one week Faculty Development Programme on “Entrepreneurship, Incubation and Innovation” from 23.06.2020 to 29.06.2020 organized by Teaching Learning Centre of Ramanujan College, University of Delhi.
  7. Participated as Resource Person in the National Seminar on “The Dilemmas of Contemporaneity in the 21st Century English Literature” organized by The Post Graduate Department of English, Sri C. Achutha Menon Government College, Thrissur, Kerala from 05.11.2019 to 06.11.2019.
  8. Organised a one day workshop on “Choice Based Credit System (CBCS”) at Biswanath College on June 7th, 2019 as Coordinator of IQAC of Biswanath College, Assam.
  9. Participated in two-day National Workshop on “Quality Assurance and Assessment in the Light of Accreditation Framework of NAAC” on 1st and 2nd February, 2019 at Chaiduar College, Assam
  10. Participated in three-day 3rd National Teachers’ Congress held in Pune on 4th, 5th and 6th January, 2019.
  11. Participated in the seminar of Bal Natya Samaroh organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi from November 27 to 30, 2018, at Tezpur as a resource person. My topic was “Child Psychology and Theatre”.
  12. Participated in the Script Reading and Analysis Sessions of Sangeet Natak Akademi held in Guwahati on October 30 and 31, 2018 as a Resource Person.
  13. Participated as a Screening Committee Member in National School of Drama from October 04.12.2018 to 12.10.2018, 2018 for the selection of plays to be performed in the international theatre festival of India, Bharat Rang Mahotsav.
  14. Organised a one day workshop on May 27th, 2017 on “Research Methodology and Research Projects” at Biswanath College as Coordinator of IQAC, Biswanath College.
  15. Organised a one day workshop on May 23rd, 2017 on “How to Prepare Yourself for a Challenging Future” at Biswanath College as Coordinator of IQAC, Biswanath College.
  16. Participated in the UGC sponsored National seminar on “Approaches to Sankardeva: Text, Performance, Representation and History” organized by the Centre for Assamese Studies, Tezpur University on 5 and 6 August, 2015.
  17. Participated in Guwahati Literary Festival 2014 organised by the Publication Board of Assam from December 27-29, 2014.
  18. Presented a paper in the UGC-sponsored National seminar on “100 Years of Indian Cinema With Special Reference to North East” organised by Lakhimpur Girls’ College on May 10 and 11, 2014.
  19. Refresher Course on “Literature and Margin” from ASC-North-Eastern Hill University held from 18. 03. 2013 to 07. 04. 2013.
  20. Presented a paper in the UGC sponsored National seminar on “Globalisation and Its Impact on Ethnic Studies and Modern Indian Languages” organised by Department of Assamese, Biswanath College, on September 5 and 6, 2008.
  21. Training on Disaster Management with Special Reference to Earthquake and Flood Hazards organised by TezpurUniversity from 31. 03. 2005 to 02. 04. 2005.
  22. Refresher Course on “English Poetry” from ASC University of Kerala held from 10. 12. 2004 to 31. 12. 2004, Grade: A 
  23. Participated in Orientation Programme from ASC-Himachal PradeshUniversity held from 08. 04. 2002 to 04. 05. 2002, Grade: A 

Administrative experience: 

As HoD: I was the Head of Department of English, Biswanath College, for around four years from January 2, 2013 to June 10, 2014 and again from June 26, 2015 to January 17, 2018.  

As IQAC Coordinator: I have been working as the Coordinator of IQAC, Biswanath College since 6th March, 2017. As Coordinator I have been organizing all academic events (workshop, seminar, speeches by eminent person, etc.) for the betterment of academic atmosphere, and dealing with academic audit to increase the NAAC grade of our college.

Prior to my appointment as IQAC Coordinator., I was one of the convenors of the cell to prepare the self-study report of Biswanath College to submit to NAAC. I was also the assistant coordinator of IQAC from 2013 to 2016.

At present, I am the editor of Journey, Biswanath College IQAC bulletin. 

As Nodal Officer for AISHE: I was the Nodal Officer of Biswanath College for MHRD’s AISHE for two years. As Nodal Officer I submitted the annual report of Biswanath College for the academic years 2016-17 and 2017-18 to All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) of MHRD.

As Superintendent: I was the superintendent of Biswanath College Women’s Hostel for about a year.

Languages fluent in: Assamese, English, Hindi, Bangla and Marathi.

Experience in print media:  

(1) One year experience as sub-editor in The North East Times, Guwahati.

(2) One year experience as sub-editor in The Maharashtra Herald, Pune.

(3) Worked as a freelance journalist for Times of India Pune Plus.

Experience in All India Radio:  

(a) Four short stories of mine have been broadcast by AIR, two by SahityaChara, AIR, Guwahati, and two by Sahitya Chara, AIR, Tezpur.

(b) At least five talks, in both English and Assamese, have been broadcast by Yuba Bani, AIR, Guwahati so far.   

Experience in Doordarshan: I conducted two talk shows as an anchor both in English and Assamese for Doordarshan-NE.