Aparna Dutta Mahanta,a renowned feminist and Assam’s First Woman Doctoral Graduate In English
Aparna Dutta Mahanta was a prominent feminist writer, a humanitarian and a grassroot activist of Assam.One of the leading figures of women's education in Assam, Prof. Mahanta was born on 20th August, 1946 in Sivsagar District of Assam.She did her schooling from St Mary’s in Shillong and graduated from St Mary’s College. She completed her Masters' degree from Gauhati university as well as from the University of Leeds under a British Council scholarship.In 1982 she completed her Phd from Dibrugarh University and became the first woman in Assam to have a doctorate degree in English.
Her experiences with the feminist movement in the United Kingdom motivated her to start ' Aideur Jonaki Baat', a path breaking magazine for women in 1983.She was also the founder member of AIPWA, Assam and the Centre for Women's studies, Dibrugarh University.She was an active member and an office-bearer of several national and state level Women's Organizations. Her books on women's issues in English and Assamese continue to inspire generations. Prof. Mahanta was associated with the cause of women as an academician and as an activist since the 1980s.In literary academia, she has been ranked as one of the most renowned feminist activits and a prolific writer.She has worked as a Professor in the Department of English, Dibrugarh University.She has authored many famous book like 'Naribad'.One of the pioneers of the Modern feminist movement in Assam Aparna Mahanta's husband Paramananda Mahanta is also a noted scientist. Prof. Mahanta left for her heavenly abode on 26th of January, 2022 at the age of 75.