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.

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 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.

References

Category:1948 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Assam
Category:Indian writers