Author, Sivasish Biswas (2nd from R) seen with other dignitaries during the formal release of ‘Torn Pages from my Northeast Diary: A Memoir’ on July 18.
KOHIMA, July 20 (MExN): Marking the 123rd publication of PenThrill, “Torn Pages from my Northeast Diary: A Memoir” by Sivasish Biswas was released during the 20th Foundation Day of Assam University, Diphu Campus on July 18.
The book was released in the presence of Chancellor Arup Raha, former Air Chief Marshall & Chairman of the three chiefs of Army, Air Force and Navy; Vice Chancellor, Professor Rajive Mohan Pant, Dhruba Hazarika, IAS (Retd.) & Author of three novels published by Penguin, Deputy Commissioner, Aranyak Saikia, IAS, and Pokhila Lekthepi, Padma Shri, 2026 for music, and Dean Academics Professor Narendra Singh among a host of other faculty and dignitaries.
The author, Professor Sivasish Biswas is currently serving his second tenure as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Diphu Campus. He joined the Assam University in 2009 as Professor of English and gave shape to the Department as Head for two terms. Prior to that he was Reader and Head at Mizoram University, Aizawl, which he joined from Karimganj College, Assam, in 2004.
Sivasish Biswas received a Fulbright Scholarship as Scholar in Residence at Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ, USA, during 2013-14.
Biswas has nurtured a love for the Northeast spanning 39 years and more, particular attachment being with the tribal world. He has always sided with the subjugated, the marginalized, and lives life on a mantra from his father: “Never harm any living creature; do as much of good as possible.”
In the preface to the book, he had also noted that, “I have found so much of love and acceptance in the Northeast in spite of the resistance towards outsiders that I have titled myself an ‘Outsider Insider’.”
While political movements can be disastrous to communal harmony, and personal attitudes and equations are different, he stated that, “before passing a verdict, we need to be self-reflexive and question: what have I done? Have I extended my hand? Do my eyes brighten and sparkle when I see anyone from a different community? Do I share their pain and suffering? Do I try to learn and speak their language or do I resist because my language is the best? Do I take the food of others, those items which they may not even offer me fearing rejection?”
Attempting to understand the Northeast, he further added, “has thrown up issues which have created misunderstanding and non-acceptance: the ‘otherizing’ syndrome both ways. Lack of development, lack of sufficient institutions for higher education, lack of job opportunities, the feeling of deprivation and marginalization, different cultural practices and sensitivity towards rejection of supposedly ‘aberrant’ food, flaunting of cultural superiority and the engendered simmering pain or angst.”
“We cannot blame insurgency and secessionism...The Big Bad-Outsider syndrome is in fact reverse colonialism. It hurts. It otherizes. It is meant to and yes! People deserve it too. My empathy is with the Northeast”, he expressed.
In his foreword, Vice Chancellor, Professor Rajive Mohan Pant also remarked that, “not only is the narrative exceedingly attractive coming from Professor Biswas, but also clears many misgivings and wrong perceptions that people may have about this serene land and its beautiful inhabitants.”
He also exuded belief that “these supposedly “torn pages” which collectively form this book, will help readers in understanding the North East in right perspectives.”
