Nilakshi Phukan

Dr. Nilakshi Phukan’s critical research book “नेटिव अमेरिका की लोक कथायें – आदिवासियों की पुकार Native American Folk Tales – An Unforgettable Truth” was published by Vani Prakashan and launched at India International Center in Delhi, India in January 2023. All the folktales were collected based on the folk-cultures-traditions, customs, lifestyles, beliefs, and life philosophy of Native American tribal people, including Indigenous groups of the Catawba, Lambie, Cherokee, Tuscarora, Picot and Mohican, Arapaho, Salishan, Sahaptins, Creek-Muskogee, Miowak, and Inuit. This book focuses on the history of North Carolina’s Indigenous tribes e.g., Lumbee, Cherokee, Catawba, Tuscarora, and neighboring tribes as well. Copies are available through Amazon at these links: Amazon (International): https://www.amazon.com/dp/9355189168?ref=myi_title_dp

Amazon (India): https://amzn.eu/d/hyaNKtu

Dhingra, Sudha Om. Kunkhan Apun Bhumi? (Which land is yours?). Trans. Nilakshi Phukan. Nagaon, Assam: Gigabits Press and Publication, 2012. Hindi to Assamese.

Yadav, Usha. Shishur Shreshtha Galpa (The Best Stories for Children). Trans. Nilakshi Phukan. Nagaon, Assam: Akonir Sahitya Sabha, 2013. Hindi to Assamese.

Edited Book, Translation

Grandmother’s Tales (Assamese folk stories). Ed. Nilakshi Phukan. Nagaon, Assam: Akonir Sahitya Sabha, 2014. Assamese to English.

Articles, Translation

• “Enhancing language skills and cultural awareness through virtual reality modules” article published in Pronaam – a quarterly publication from AANA (Assam Association of North America, AFNA (Assam Foundation of North America), ASNA (Assam Society of North America), April, 2023
• “North Carolinian Natives – A Brief History of the Native Folk Culture” – to be published in Vishwa Hindi Patrika, World Hindi Secretariate, Mauritius.
• An article “Hindi Language and Culture Teaching with New Technologies” published in the book “Dimensions of Hindi Language Teaching” on Hindi Teaching as a Second/foreign language from the Colibri Press, Lisbon, 27 January 2022
• “World Literature Created in the Times of Crisis – An Introspection and a Ray of Hope – संकटकालीन समय में रचे विश्व साहित्य – एक आत्मविश्लेषण और उम्मीद की किरण” – My latest article during Covid 19 published in the international magazine of global Hindi contemplation “Vibhom Swar”, a quarterly publish Hindi literary magazine from India and USA, Issue October – December 2020.
• An article topic, “Virtual Assam Convention 2020 – A Historic Step!” published in “Pranaam” Newsletter – A Quarterly Publication from AANA (Assam Association of North America), ASSNA (Assam Sahitya Sabha of North America) and AFNA (Assam Foundation of North America). https://aanahome.org/images/Newsletters/PRONAAM_PostConventionNewsletter_October2020_Version1.pdf
• Native American folk story, “The King of Polar Bears” translated into the Hindi language was published in the international magazine of global Hindi contemplation “Vibhōma-Swar” Year: 5, issue: 18, Quarterly: the web version of the July-September 2020. http://www.vibhom.com/vibhomswar.html
• ​​​​​​​Honored honorarium for the article “Teaching of Hindi language and literature by using modern technologies in America” published in “World Hindi Magazine” run by World Hindi Secretariat – A Bilateral Organization of the Government of India and Mauritius, 2019. http://www.vishwahindi.com/hi/news8.aspx
• “आमेरिकी विश्वविद्यालयों में हिन्दी भाषा का शिक्षण” (Hindi language teaching in American Universities), Sahitya Prabha
• “डॉ. सुधा ओम ढींगरा का उपन्यास “नक़्क़ाशीदार केबिनेट” का साहित्यिक विश्लेषण” (A literary analysis of Dr. Sudha Om Dhingra’s Novel “Nakkashidar Cabinet”), Shivana Prakashan, 2017
•  “A Special Literary Reference on Ajay Navaria’s story Vikhandan.” Shivana Sahityiki, July–September 2017
• “Kauwa Kiran Laya” (Crow Brought the Light): An Inuit Myth translated from English into Hindi. To appear in middle school course packs of India.
• “Hindi Language in Global Perspective.” Vibhom Swar, April–June 2017
• “Bhagawan ki Srishti” (God’s Creation). Hindi Pracharini Sabha, April 2008
• “Qismat” (Luck). Hindi Pracharini Sabha, November 2007
• “Pariksha” (Exam). Maryland Asom Sangha, July 2007 in Assamese.

Travelogues

“Germany t Ebhumuki” (A Glance in Germany). Akonir Agradoot, August 2006

“Me and My Journey.” Friends Magazine, November 2010

Conference Papers

• 2023, April 11: Invited to present for the NCSU Chancellor’s CHASS visit on the topic of “Digital Making in CHASS: Innovative Teaching that Empowers Students for Success” and my presentation topic was “Enhancing Language Skills and Cultural Awareness Through Virtual Reality”.
• 2022 December: Invited to speak online at the 75th-anniversary celebration of Nowgong College (Guwahati University) in Assam, India.
• 2022 October 23: Invited to speak on a panel at the 2022 NC State Women of Color Retreat. The theme, “Becoming: Collectivity Reclaimed and Reimagined” – Superwoman Complex, Colorism, Microaggressions, Soul Care and Collective Healing, Intersectionality (exploring intersectional identities and solidarity)
• 2022 April 30: Invited as the guest speaker on the topic “Global Scenario of Hindi – An International Collaboration” initiated by the Hindi Department of Moridhal College (Guwahati University) in Assam, India.
• 2022 March 10: Invited to present at The Cardinal at North Hills, a senior living community on the topics of “Let’s Learn about Indian Languages, Music, and Cultures”.
• 2021, June 27: “Breaking the Silence of Native American Folktales through Translations” – Presented my book project at the 2021 #SALTA(South Asian Language Teachers Association) International Virtual Conference this weekend. Received wonderful comments and suggestions to make my project more interesting from the various scholars around the world!
• 2019, June 5 – June 7: Presented my paper “Teaching and Learning Hindi Through Modern Technologies in American/NC State University” (“अमेरिका में आधुनिक प्रौद्योगिकियों द्वारा हिन्दी भाषा-साहित्य का शिक्षण और अधिगम”) in The International Conference on Hindi as a Second/Foreign Language at the University of Lisbon, Portugal Organized by the Center for Indian Studies, Center for Linguistics of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and in collaboration with the ICCR/Embassy of India in Lisbon, Portugal.
• Led the discussion panel on the topic “Difference in learning a language for proficiency vs learning a language for academic studies” in the seminar for “Evaluation of Military Foreign Language Training for University Credit” at Hawthorne Inn and Conference Center, Winston-Salem, NC. February 6, 2018
• Creating learning episodes based on authentic materials to increase foreign language literacy, Asian Studies seminar, NC State University. November 16, 2017
• “Developing Topic Based Activities Aligned with Goals- Designing Learning Episodes Based on Cultural Stories” STARTALK Focus Session on in STARTALK fall conference, Portland, Oregon, November 2017.
• “Hindi and the World: Local and Global Perspective,” presenter, International Hindi Conference, Consulate General of India, New York, May 2016.
• “Pedagogical Implications of Using Audio-Video Materials to Model Quasi Real-Life Communication and to Engage Students in Interactive Activities at Different ACTFL Levels,” presenter, International Hindi Conference, Rutgers University, April 2015.
• “Hindi-Urdu Conversational Movies Using ACTFL Methodology,” presenter, Foreign Language Association of North Carolina Conference, Winston Salem, NC, October 2013.

Presentations

• Talks and Presentations, Invited
  • Invited to give a presentation titled “Enhancing Language Skills and Cultural Awareness Through Virtual Reality” at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ annual event called “Digital Making in CHASS: Innovative Teaching that Empowers Students for Success”. This initiative was part of the Diversity Mini-Grant Award that Dr. Phukan was awarded this academic year of 2022-2023, April 2023.
  • A talk on the topic, “The Lumbi Tribes of North Carolina and the Folktale – The Spirit of the River” at North Carolina Sahityik Manch/Literary Forum on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
  • Invited to speak on a panel at the 2022 NC State Women of Color Retreat, on October 23, 2022. The theme, “Becoming: Collectivity Reclaimed and Reimagined” – Superwoman Complex, Colorism, Microaggressions, Soul Care and Collective Healing, Intersectionality (exploring intersectional identities and solidarity).
  • Invited as the guest speaker on the topic “Global Scenario of Hindi – An International Collaboration” initiated by the Hindi Department of Moridhal College in Assam, India on April 30, 2022.
  • “Breaking the Silence of Native American Folktales through Translations” – Presented my book project at the 2021 #SALTA(South Asian Language Teachers Association) International Virtual Conference on June 27, 2021.
  • an international conference collaboratively organized by Nowgong Girls’ College, Lakhimpur Commerce College, and the University Grant Commission of India IQAC (International Quality Assurance Cell) India (2022)
  • Invited as the distinguished speaker for “Online Teaching Strategies – Share and Learn” organized by NYU (New York University) Hindi-Urdu workshop, July 24, 2020. Presentation topic: “A Journey with 3D Printing and Green Screen Skits.”
  • Invited as the distinguished speaker at the international webinar organized by Dyal Singh College, Karnal, India on the topic, “Relevance of literature during the Corona pandemic”, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
  • Invited to be on the panel of judges at Yale University Hindi Debate Competition 2020, National Round on Friday, March 27. The competition was canceled because of the novel coronavirus epidemic.
  • “Designing Learning episodes from cultural and mythological stories” – Presented in STARTALK spring conference on the topic in Loews Philadelphia Hotel, PA, April 2018.
  • “Difference in learning a language for proficiency vs learning a language for academic studies” – Led the discussion panel on the topic in the seminar for “Evaluation of Military Foreign Language Training for University Credit” at Hawthorne Inn and Conference Center, Winston-Salem, NC, February 2018.
  • “ACTFL/Defense Language Institute Hindi Standard Setting Workshop” invited as a language resource person, MD, March 2017.
  • “Hindi and the World: Local and global perspective” invited presenter at International Hindi Conference at Consulate General of India, New York, May 2016.
  • “Asian American Pacific Islander Women’s Panel” hosted by the Women’s Center at NC State University, March 2016.
  • “Pedagogical Implications of Using Audio-Video Materials to Model Quasi Real-Life Communication and to Engage Students in Interactive Activities at Different ACTFL Level” invited presenter at “International Hindi Conference” organized by Rutgers University, New Jersey, April 2015.
  • “Northeast India, People, Language and Culture” invited presenter for Advanced Hindi/Urdu class at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, November 2014.
  • “Hindi-Urdu Conversational Movies Using ACTFL Methodology” invited presenter at FLANC Conference, NC, October 2013.
  • “South Asian Culture and Hindi/Urdu Languages” invited presenter to AFROTC cadets at NC State University, November 2012.

Funded Research/Awards

• A Diversity Mini-Grant by the ODEI (2022) “Enhancing Hindi-Urdu language skills and Cultural Awareness through Virtual Reality Modules”,
• Nominated the Outstanding Engagement Award by FLL Awards Committee for outstanding performance and contributions to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, October 5, 2022.
• NC State University Libraries Alt-Textbook Project Award, a nationally recognized leading project in supporting teaching and learning more equitable and effective, February 2022
• $ honorarium was offered for my article “Teaching of Hindi language and literature by using modern technologies in America” published in “World Hindi Magazine” run by World Hindi Secretariat – A Bilateral Organization of the Government of India and Mauritius, 2019
• Duke Grant for creating and developing advanced-level Hindi conversational online materials for world language resources at Duke University.
• Nominated for CHASS outstanding lecture award for 2014-15, 2015-2016
• Hindi-Urdu Conversational Movie Project: Received a departmental fund to create and develop Hindi-Urdu situational conversation movies from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at North Carolina State University, 2013
• Hindi-Urdu Club’s President’s Award: For the outstanding contribution to advancing the Hindi-Urdu languages in the NCSU campus, 2012
• Online Advanced Level Hindi Conversation Project Grant: Duke University, Granted by CSEEES-The Duke-UNC Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies, 2014
• Hindi/Urdu Conversation Movie Project: Funds from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at North Carolina State University, 2012
• http://chass.online.ncsu.edu/online/Catalog/Full/f363f825ec884fa4bb00519a08f6bbf921/?state=u6U1ySD93trxSAFg6R4d
• Novice Level Conversations
• Intermediate Level Conversations
• Advanced Level Conversation
• Superior Level Conversations

• A Door into Hindi Online Portal: https://taj.oasis.unc.edu/
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mQ9S8rQYjbzgrQ7UD5vVDi3qH1ir9Yw4/view