Bandita Phukan

**Bandita Phukan** (born 16 February 1948) is an Indian writer and mechanical engineer from Assam. She writes science literature, science fiction, and children's books in the Assamese language. In 2011, she received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature for her novel _Seujiya Dharani_.

She has written more than 120 books. Her book _Mahan Bigyanir Shoishab Kal_ has been translated into the Bodo language.

Her first published literary work was the science fiction story _Priyatama_, which appeared in the Assamese monthly magazine _Bismoy_.

## Early life and education

Bandita Phukan was born in Dhekiajuli in present-day Sonitpur district of Assam. She spent part of her childhood in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), now known as Arunachal Pradesh. When the language of instruction in schools there changed from Assamese to Hindi, she returned to Assam and studied at Nagaon Girls' High School.

She later studied mechanical engineering at Assam Engineering College and graduated in 1971. She is regarded as one of the early women from Assam and Northeast India to graduate in mechanical engineering.

## Professional career

After completing her engineering degree, Phukan worked in several engineering organisations. These included Assam Gas Company, Oil India Limited, Assam Conductors & Tubes Limited, and the Assam Industrial Development Corporation. She took voluntary retirement in 2001.

After retirement, she briefly worked with an industrial organisation in the United States. Later, she returned to Assam and devoted herself fully to writing.

## Literary career

Phukan has written many books in Assamese. Her works include short stories, novels, science fiction, popular science writing, translations, and children's literature.

#### 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 books

- _Kiyo Ene Hoise?_
- _Sonotihotor Bipod_
- _Jumi, Rima aru Sihot_
- _Sihote Khelisil_
- _Bondhor Dinot Sonotihot_
- _Ban Ahisil_
- _Sundarpurat Sonoti_
- _Seujiya Dharani_

#### Science and biography books

She has written popular science books and biographies of scientists such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Alva Edison, Alexander Fleming, Marie Curie, Galileo Galilei, William Harvey, Alexander Graham Bell, Archimedes, and Michael Faraday.

## Awards

- Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature (2011) for _Seujiya Dharani_.
- 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 years.

## Infobox (writer)

- **name**: Bandita Phukan
- **birth date**: 16 February 1948
- **birth place**: Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur district, Assam, India
- **occupation**: Writer, engineer
- **language**: Assamese language, Assamese
- **nationality**: Indian
- **education**: B.E. in Mechanical Engineering
- **alma mater**: Assam Engineering College
- **genre**: Science writing, science fiction, children's literature, translation
- **notableworks**: _Seujiya Dharani_
_Jumi, Rima aru Sihot_
_Mahan Bigyanir Shoishab Kal_
- **spouse**: Shyamanta Phukan
- **awards**: Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature (2011)
Assam Government Literary Award (2011)