Ms. Merelin Darlong
Assistant Professor of English
drafts merelin.darlong@nlutripura.ac.in
About Ms. Merelin Darlong
Merelin Darlong is currently an Assistant Professor of English at NLU Tripura, with nine years of dedicated teaching experience. She holds an MA in English from Tripura University (A Central University) and a BA in English Honours from Holy Cross College, Agartala. Ms. Darlong is actively pursuing her Ph.D. in Northeast Literature, focusing on the research titled “Towards the Formulation of Darlong Identity: An Analytic Study of Select Cultural Texts and Practices of the Darlong.” Her research is driven by the critical need to define and preserve the Darlong cultural identity amidst the challenges posed by rapid global changes.
Her academic and research pursuits extend beyond literature, encompassing a strong commitment to the tribal issues of Northeast India. This passion has led her to take on the role of Centre Director for the Centre for Tribal Studies and Social Justice, at NLU Tripura, where she works to advocate for and uplift marginalized communities.
Ms. Darlong’s work in promoting Northeast culture and literature has earned her invitations to serve as a guest lecturer, panellist, and resource person at various forums, including engagements with NGOs like JUST, aimed at fostering peace in the region. Beyond her literary expertise, she is also deeply interested in Soft Skills & Communication Skills, conducting numerous training sessions across colleges and schools in Tripura.
Her scholarly contributions are well-recognized, with numerous presentations at national and international seminars and conferences. She has also published papers in prestigious UGC Care Listed and Scopus Indexed Journals. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a member of the Board of Studies (BOS) in the Department of English at Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Rajasthan.
Qualifications
- BA in English (Hons.) – Holy Cross College, Agartala
- B.Ed – Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE)
- MA in English – Tripura University (A Central University)
- UGC NET
- Ph.D (Pursuing) – Tripura University (A Central University)
AREAS OF INTERESTS
- British Literature
- American Literature
- Indian Writing in English
- Northeast Literature
- Culture Studies
- Literary Theory & Criticism
- Soft Skills & Communication
Publications
Articles
- “Teaching Literature through the application of Soft Skills: A Teacher’s Perspective” Published in Journal of Education Rabindra Bharati University, Vol XXII, No,1, 2021, UGC CARE Approved, Peer Reviewed and Referral Journal. ISSN No. 0972-7175.
- “The Darlong Oral Tradition: Oral narrative as aninformative construct in the re-construction of Darlong Ethnic History” Published in Shodsamhita (Journal of Fundamental and Comparative Research), Vol No. IX Issue 1, 2022-2023, UGC CARE Group 1 Journal, ISSN No. 2277-7076.
- “Folk of the North East India: Oral Narratives as a Pre-position Mechanism in Negativisation and Typicalisation of Characters in the Contemporary Darlong Civil Society” Published in Journal of Namibian Studies (History, Politics and Culture), Vol. 37, SI (2023), ISSN No. 2197-5523.
Conferences
SEMINAR/WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE/INVITED LECTURES
- Presented a paper in the National Seminar: Ethos & Worldviews: Folkways to theNortheast, titled ‘Unity in Diversity: A Study of Homogeneity in Mizo, Darlong and Kokborok Folktales’, held 15th – 16th of January 2018 TU.
- Presented a paper on the National Seminar: Negotiating Issues of Orality, Folk &History in the 21st Century, titled ‘Portrayal of women in the Darlong Folktales’, held on 5th – 6th November 2018 ICFAI
- Presented a paper on the Seminar: ‘Cultural Heritage of Tripura’ titled, ‘Attire of theDarlong Women’ held on 18th – 19th of March 2019
- Presented a paper on the Seminar: Journals of Dispute: Media Coverage of conflictsin the Northeast held on 25th May 2019 at JUST Tripura.
- Presented a paper on the National seminar: Contemporary Research and EmergingIssues of Northeast India: Anthropology and Beyond, titled ‘The Darlong Oral Tradition: Oral narrative as an informative construct in the re-construction of Darlong ethnic history’ held on 2nd & 3rd March 2020 at RGU Itanagar.
- Presented a paper on Two Day National Seminar on “Children’s Literature:Addressing the Role of Folktales”, titled “The Darlong Oral Tradition: Oral narrative as an informative construct in the re-construction of Darlong Ethnic History” conducted by MBB University Agartala on 24th– 25th February 2022.
- Presented apaper on Two Day National e-Conference on Language, Literature & Soft Skills: A Cornucopia of Culture, Career & Creativity titled “Teaching Literature through the Application of Soft Skills” held on 11th & 12th December 2020, conducted by KL University, Dept. of English Guntur Andhra
- Presented a paper on Two Day National Conference on Contemporary Perspectives in Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, titled “Northeast Literature: A Study of Select Cultural Artifacts of the Darlong Society in Darlong Literature Literature and Life” conducted by Chandigarh University Dept. of on 15th– 16th July 2022.
- Attended a seminar on ‘Biodiversity for sustainable Development organized byTripura Biodiversity Dept. of Botany in collaboration with Dept. of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University and Dept. of Zoology of Holy Cross College Agartala from 7th – 8th February 2015.
- Participated a One-Day workshop on ‘Theatre in Education’ conducted by NationalSchool of Drama organized by Institute of Advanced Studies in Education (IASE) Kunjaban Agartala on 21st May 2016
- Attendeda One-Day Awareness Programme on ‘Child Rights and Protection’ organized by IASE kunjaban Agartala on 25th March
- Invited as a Panelist in an online Panel Discussion conducted by Northeast Writers’ Forum Tripura Chapter (Interface) on a theme “Literatures of Tripura: An online Panel Discussion on Literature (inclusive of all forms) as an Engineered-Construct in Building Cultural Identity” held on 28thof August 2021.
- Invited as a Resource Person in a workshop on “Soft skills for Training” conducted by T.T.A.A.D.C Polytechnic Institute in collaboration with ICFAI University, Tripura on 1stJune 2022.
- Invited as a Resource Person in a workshop on “Counselling and Soft skills for Successful Career” conducted by Women’s College in collaboration with ICFAI University, Tripura on 22ndJune 2022.
- Invited as a Resource Person in a workshop on “Counselling and Soft skills for Successful Career” conducted by Hindi Higher Secondary School, on 25thJune 2022.
- Invited as a Resource Person in a workshop on “Counselling and Soft skills for Successful Career” conducted by Assam Rifle School, on 5thJuly 2022.
- Invited as a Resource Person for Peace Promotion in Tripura and Northeast, organized by JUST, Tripura in collaboration with Peace Centre, Dimapur on 11th& 12th July, 2024.