Bandita Phukan
Bandita Phukan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 February 1948 |
| Occupation | Writer, Engineer |
| Language | Assamese |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.E. in Mechanical Engineering |
| Alma mater | Assam Engineering College |
| Genre | Science literature, Science fiction, Children's literature, Translation |
| Notable works | Seujiya Dharani Jumi, Rima aru Sihot Mahan Bigyanir Shoishab Kal |
| Notable awards | Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature (2011) Assam Government Literary Award (2011) |
| Spouse | Shyamanta Phukan |
| Website | |
| banditaphukan | |
Bandita Phukan (born 16 February 1948) is an Indian novelist, short story writer, translator, children's author, and science fiction writer from Assam. She is the first woman from Assam and Northeast India to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering.[1]
She began her literary career as a translator and later emerged as a prominent writer of science-based and children's literature. In 2011, she received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature for her novel Seujiya Dharani.[2] She has published more than 120 books. Her work Mahan Bigyanir Shoishab Kal has been translated into the Bodo language.[1]
She made her literary debut with the science fiction story Priyatama, published in the Assamese monthly magazine Bismoy.
Early life and education
Bandita Phukan was born on 16 February 1948 in Dhekiajuli, in present-day Sonitpur district of Assam, India. She spent part of her childhood in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), now known as Arunachal Pradesh. When the medium of instruction in schools there changed from Assamese to Hindi, she moved to Assam and continued her education at Nagaon Girls' High School.
She later qualified in the entrance examination for Assam Engineering College, Jalukbari, and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering. She is widely regarded as the first woman from Assam and the Northeast region of India to graduate in mechanical engineering.[3][4]
Professional career
After completing her engineering degree, Phukan began her professional career with Assam Gas Company. She subsequently worked with Oil India Limited, Assam Conductors & Tubes Limited, and the Assam Industrial Development Corporation. In 2001, she opted for voluntary retirement from service.Phukan completed her engineering degree and worked in multiple engineering organizations.
Following her retirement, she briefly worked with an industrial organization in the United States before returning to Assam. She later devoted herself full-time to literary activities.[1]
Literary career
Phukan has written extensively in Assamese across genres including short stories, novels, science fiction, popular science writing, translations, and children's literature.
Selected works
Short story collections
- Antarika
- Baja
- Xipa
- Amerikar Apon Kahini
Science fiction collections
- Teu Kene Ase?
- Apekshikata Bad, Tenor Babe
- Ath Rahasya
- Xomoy Hoisene?
Novels
- Aponjon
- Moi, Ami Ityadi
- Jibon Enekoiye
- Opotya
Children’s literature
- Kiyo Ene Hoise?
- Sonotihotor Bipod
- Jumi, Rima aru Sihot
- Sihote Khelisil
- Bondhor Dinot Sonotihot
- Ban Ahisil
- Sundarpurat Sonoti
- Seujiya Dharani
Scientific and biographical works
She has authored several popular science books and biographies of scientists including Albert Einstein, Thomas Alva Edison, Alexander Fleming, Marie Curie, Galileo Galilei, William Harvey, Alexander Graham Bell, Archimedes, and Michael Faraday.
Awards and recognition
- Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature (2011) for Seujiya Dharani[2]
- Assam Government Literary Award (2011)
- Sampriti Saikia Tuktuki Award (2006)
- Nilima Dutta Memorial Award for Translation (2014–15)
Her short story MulyaBodh was included in the SEBA Class X curriculum for several consecutive years.
References
- ^ a b c "Bandita Phukan – Bio Data". Bandita Phukan Official Website. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ a b Das, Ujjwal Jyoti (2020). Borenya. Tara Prakashan. p. 114.
- ^ "Assam's first woman mechanical engineer: Bandita Phukan's journey". The Hindu. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "Trailblazer: Bandita Phukan breaks barriers in engineering". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 February 2026.