Sivasish Biswas memoir Torn Pages from my Northeast Diary, published by PenThrill, was released at Assam University Diphu Campus.
DIMAPUR — The 123rd publication of PenThrill, titled "Torn Pages from my Northeast Diary: A Memoir" and authored by Sivasish Biswas, was formally 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 Marshal and Chairman of the three chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy; Vice Chancellor Rajive Mohan Pant; retired IAS officer and author Dhruba Hazarika; Deputy Commissioner Aranyak Saikia; Padma Shri recipient for music in 2026 Pokhila Lekthepi; and Dean of Academics Narendra Singh, among a host of other faculty members and dignitaries.
The author is currently serving his second tenure as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Diphu Campus. According to an update, he joined Assam University in 2009 as Professor of English and headed the department for two terms. Prior to that, he was Reader and Head at Mizoram University, Aizawl, which he joined from Karimganj College, Assam, in 2004.
In the preface to the book, he noted, "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’."
Biswas received a Fulbright Scholarship as Scholar-in-Residence at Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ, USA, during 2013-14.
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While political movements can be disastrous to communal harmony and personal attitudes and equations are different, he stated, '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 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 marginalisation, 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 Rajive Mohan Pant also remarked, "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 expressed belief that "these supposedly “torn pages” which collectively form this book, will help readers in understanding the North East in right perspectives."