Meet Dr. Rishikesh Upadhyay | Indian Writer and Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Rishikesh Upadhyay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Rishikesh, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well, growth has always been a constant companion in my professional journey. When I encourage apprentices and students to broaden their horizons, it also reminds me to keep challenging myself. I see writing and storytelling as evolving crafts—there’s always room to grow, experiment, and refine, and that’s what keeps me motivated.
Writing is definitely a challenging field—there’s a lot of rejection involved. I’ve come across advice suggesting that writers should expect their work to be rejected dozens, even over a hundred times, before finally securing publication. Of course, every writer’s journey is different, and the market is always evolving.
What I’ve learned is to focus on what I can control, like continuously improving my skills and understanding the craft better. I’m still actively working toward publication, and there have been moments when I doubted whether it was achievable. But instead of giving up, I changed my approach.
Now, I prioritize writing more authentically, building my expertise, connecting with other writers, and taking small, manageable steps forward. That shift has helped me stay consistent and avoid burnout, which I struggled with earlier in my journey.
Honestly, what distinguishes me from others in the field is the same thing that sets all writers apart—voice. For me, voice goes beyond just style or word choice; it’s about bringing my authentic self into what I write. My life experiences, values, thoughts, and beliefs naturally shape how I express ideas across different genres. I’d say I’m still in the process of refining and understanding my voice, but with every piece I write, it becomes clearer and more defined.
I began my journey as a writer several years ago during my MSc studies at Assam University. From early on, I was deeply drawn to storytelling and developed a strong interest in writing articles, research-based content, and short stories.
What motivated me further was the response of young readers. I found that they not only enjoyed my stories but also interpreted them in unique and imaginative ways. Their ability to retain and visualize narratives left a strong impression on me and encouraged me to continue refining my craft and documenting my ideas more seriously.
Over time, my writing expanded across multiple forms, including nonfiction, children’s literature, general literary works, and poetry. Writing, for me, has become both a passion and a continuous learning process, allowing me to express ideas while also connecting with readers across different age groups.
By profession, I work as an Assistant Professor at Haflong Government College, where I specialize in plant biology. It is a role that I find very fulfilling, as it allows me to engage with students and contribute to their academic growth.
Alongside my academic career, I have developed a strong passion for writing and storytelling. What began as a personal interest gradually turned into something much more meaningful. While my teaching responsibilities often take priority, I find that writing gives me a different kind of satisfaction—it allows me to contribute to the inner world of my readers, especially younger audiences.
Although I never originally planned to pursue writing professionally, I eventually realized how strongly I believed in it. That belief pushed me to continue, even when it was not taken seriously by others. There were times when my ideas were dismissed or discouraged, and some even doubted whether I could succeed as a writer. However, I remained committed despite the criticism and challenges.
Writing has not always been easy for me, and it often requires multiple revisions and a great deal of patience. Still, it remains something I deeply value. No matter how difficult the process becomes, I continue to write because it is something I genuinely enjoy and believe in.
Throughout my journey, I have come to understand that empowerment is a continuous, lifelong process. I have dedicated myself to writing and to guiding students in recognizing their inner strength, embracing their individuality, and engaging in self-discovery. Over the course of my career, I have realized that true fulfillment comes from seeing others grow and succeed. This understanding has strengthened my commitment to continue this work and contribute meaningfully to the transformation and development of those I work with.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born and raised in a small Nepalis’ hamlet called Bhanjang Basti in Haflong, located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. Growing up in that environment deeply shaped my understanding of people, nature, and culture.
I am engaged in writing nonfiction, children’s literature, and poetry. I write for magazine, journals, literary sites, books, etc. For me, writing is not just a creative pursuit but also a way to contribute to knowledge—especially in areas such as natural surroundings, children’s learning, and literature. I see writing as a bridge that connects readers, researchers, and learners, encouraging active participation in academic and creative development through reading and reflection.
Over time, I developed a strong interest in research, writing, and teaching, which I continue to pursue. A major influence in my life has been my family. The guidance of my parents, brothers, and sisters instilled in me the values of sincerity, dedication, and kindness, which continue to guide both my personal and professional journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are two places, which I would like to name are – Jatinga and Panimur. The former is about seven kilometer away from Haflong, where various species of bird or winged visitors would commit sucide, while the later is in Umrangso area. It is the most exciting water fall, where the majority Dimasa tribe members of Dima Hasao take a dip holy bath in the river every year.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you for this question.
As a writer, I’ve often found the process to be quite solitary, spending long hours alone with my thoughts, building fictional worlds and shaping characters. However, I’ve been fortunate not to walk this journey alone.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family for their constant love, encouragement, and support, especially during times when I struggled with my own thoughts and confidence. My parents, Late Pitambar Upadhaya and Late Nandakala Bawni Upadhaya, have been a guiding presence in my life, even in their absence.
I am also deeply thankful to my siblings: Sandhya Upadhyay, who has a strong appreciation for Hindi literature; Ramu Upadhaya, a writer and poet based in Haflong; Bharat Upadhyay, a businessman; Gobinda Upadhyay, a science teacher; and Gokul Upadhaya, an internal auditor. Each of them has supported me in their own way and helped me stay grounded and focused.
They have been my first readers, my critics, and my biggest supporters—celebrating my achievements and encouraging me through setbacks. Their belief in me has been a major source of strength and motivation throughout my writing journey, and I remain truly grateful for their presence in my life.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my nieces and nephews—Pankashi Upadhyay, Prahant Upadhyay, Shristi Upadhyay, Shreeya Upadhyay, Pratiksha Upadhyay, Priyambadha Upadhyay, and Pratibha Upadhyay—whose presence and encouragement have been deeply inspiring to me.
I am also sincerely thankful to my brother, Ramu Upadhaya, whose dedication to both writing and family, along with his careful efforts in editing and refining my work at times, has been invaluable. His support, along with the constant encouragement I receive from those around me, continues to motivate me to do more.
My deepest appreciation also goes to my parents, whose unwavering support of my creative journey has been a strong foundation for my work. I am equally grateful to my readers, whose interest and encouragement have pushed me to keep writing and improving.
I would also like to acknowledge my publishers, with whom I began my journey years ago through my MPhil dissertation. Over time, I have had the opportunity to work with several publishers across Germany, the United Kingdom, India, the Netherlands, and other countries. Their cooperation and support have played a crucial role in bringing my books and writings to life.
Finally, I remain eternally grateful to all my readers—those who have read or are currently reading my published works. Their engagement and appreciation give meaning to my writing journey.

Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=h232zIsAAAAJ

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Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RKUpadhy

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Other: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B076T8TTLG/allbooks
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Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17275904.Rishikesh_Upadhyay
Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rishikeshupadhyay.bsky.social
Storygraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/authors/7411a77f-d4e9-4d32-bc2f-528ab5f90b5e