We recently connected with Dr. Rishikesh Upadhyay and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Rishikesh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I did my schooling at District Council Lower Primary School and Don Bosco School, Haflong, and my father (Pitambar Upadhaya) was a railwayman and my mother (Nandakala Bawni Upadhaya), a homemaker. My father died on 24th January 1997 at Bhanjang Basti, Haflong, when I was a student of Haflong Government College studying BSc Hons in Botany.
Teaching and writing has been a love of mine since I was studying my post-graduate at Assam University in the Indian state of Assam, but the real journey into writing and teaching began in 2006. I had published my first article in a journal in 2002 and a first book in 2012, which was just an extended work of my MPhil dissertation. Gradually, I was awarded my PhD in 2010. I have also served as a teaching assistant at Assam University during 2006–08. Within 2 years of my PhD, I received a job offer at Assam University-affiliated Haflong Government College as a professor assistant for plant biochemistry in the faculty of science and joined there. Things were going great as I moved up to my dream role, until tragedy struck again with the loss of my mother on 8th July 2021 at Bhanjang Basti, Haflong. I knew life would never be the same, and I felt a deep sense that I was meant for something bigger, though I wasn’t sure what that something was.
I am passionate about writing various genres such as articles, nonfiction books, research articles, poems, children’s stories, short stories, and book chapters, and have published works in these areas.
I was born, grew up, and live in Bhanjang Basti, a small Nepali’ hamlet, via Mahadev Tilla at Haflong, the district headquarters of North Cachar Hills (now Dima Hasao district) in the Indian state of Assam.
Everyone seeks a place to be, a place to meet others, and a place to continue learning, no matter where they are in their lives. I share what is feasible, rather than an unrealistic idea, with others. Looking back, every challenge I’ve faced has taught me something important about growth, success, people’s behavior, and trusting the process. And for that, I’m so grateful.
I have always had a love for plants, children, and students, and I could often be found teaching at a local government college in my daytime, and by night I poured my imagination and ideas out onto a page. In 1999, I graduated from Haflong Government College with my B.Sc. in Botany, but I still loved plant behavior, I minored in Zoology as well.
My mission is good for you, myself and good for others. My mission is not just a tagline; it’s the core of my actions and purpose. I am now living in a supportive, diverse family of four elder brothers and one elder sister, Ms. Sandhya Upadhyay. I aim to create a lasting legacy through creativity, kindness, and connection, fostering a welcoming environment for all.
Dr. Rishikesh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a Haflong based Indian born at Bhanjang Basti, Haflong, a small Nepalis’ hamlet in the district headquarters of NC Hills (now Dima Hasao District), a writer and a professor by passion, and a life-long learner by interest. I currently work for Assam University affiliated Haflong Government College as an Professor assistant where I teach students of graduates, undergraduates and post graduates. I earned PhD, MPhil, MSc from Assam University, and BSc Hons from Haflong Government College, India.
Writing has been my passion since my post graduate, and I am passionate about writing various genres such as articles, nonfiction titles, research articles, poems, children’s stories, short stories, and book chapters, and have published works in these areas. And, I have also spent the past decade working and teaching in higher educational institutions, and my works was celebrated across the world, and have been appeared, quoted, cited in several international journals and books of repute.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Writing has been my passion since my post graduate, and am passionate about writing various genres such as articles, nonfiction books, research articles, poems, children’s stories, short stories, and book chapters, and have published works in these areas. My mission is good for you, myself and good for others. My mission is not just a tagline; it’s the core of my actions and purpose.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Well, I mean it differently. When I came to know or hear from someone that they appreciated, connected with something I wrote or published, that it enriched their lives or minds, even if just for a few seconds, I know I have been successful as a writer or author. Money and fame would be great, don’t get me wrong, but those are different types of success. But, for something I wrote to make an impact, create a connection with someone or readers. That’s truly priceless.
Success is when I hear that peoples/readers/students enjoyed one of my writings, creations, and teachings or identified with it somehow.
I think a writer or author is to communicate with readers. I feel successful whenever someone talks to me about my books/writings/teachings, and it’s clear that they got what I was trying to communicate. It makes me feel so happy and excited.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/rishikesh-upadhyay-814a8a1a
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RKUpadhy
- Other: Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=h232zIsAAAAJ
Image Credits
Rishikesh Upadhyay