Executive Committee of AIFEST 2021-22

The new Executive Committee of AIFEST assumed office today, 15th October 2021, after the customary and homely swearing-in ceremony conducted virtually via Google Meet at 7 pm today.

The whole AIFEST Family welcome the new team of office-bearers wholeheartedly to take charge of our activities in the coming days. We look forward to working under your kind guidance and cooperation, and we are sure that your inspiring presence and innovative ideas will lead AIFEST from strength to strength.

The details of the newly elected office-bearers are as follows:

President: Mrs Isha Damani, West Bengal

Isha Damani hails from Raniganj, West Bengal. She has worked as a Post Graduate teacher in English at SKS Public School, Raniganj, West Bengal and in Agarwal Vidyalaya, Chennai. She is presently mentoring the school students in Humanities subjects. She has completed her schooling in Assemblies of God Church School, Asansol, West Bengal and her post-graduation in English Language and Literature from Annamalai University, Chennai. She loves to be amidst the younger generation, trying to understand their developing mind-sets and their perspectives towards learning and life and working upon them to help them groom their inner skills and talents. A student of literature, she believes that reading and writing provides one the scope for a broader thinking and mind-set.

Vice President: Rayees Ahmad Bhat, Kashmir

Rayees Ahmad Bhat is a research scholar at School of Comparative Languages and Culture, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore (MP). His areas of interest are Ecocritical Studies, American Literature, Literary Theory and Criticism and Postmodern Literature. He has submitted his PhD thesis entitled "A Study of Ecocentric Consciousness and Earth-centered Approach in the Selected Novels of Edward Abbey and Barbara Kingsolver”.

General Secretary: Abhilash Kaushik, Assam

Abhilash Kaushik hails from Biswanath Chariali, Assam. He is a PhD Research Scholar in the department of English, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam. He is the recipient of 3 gold medals in his masters from Dept. of English, AIMS Institutes, Bangalore University (2018). He has presented 24 papers in various national and international conferences all over India and also has 36 publications to his credit till date in various UGC-approved, double blind peer- reviewed and also referred journals along with numerous chapters in edited book. He was the General Secretary and Contributing Editor of Transversal Agora for Future Discussions (TAFFD’s) magazine located at Georgia, USA in 2020. In January, 2021, he was promoted to the position of Managing Editor of the magazine. He won the IMRF Youth Literary Award in “recognition of the consistent superior performance in research in English Studies” in 2018 conferred by the Govt. of India approved International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation (IMRF) and has also won the Best Paper Presenter Award in English at a national seminar held at Kolar, Karnataka. He serves as the English Language advisor and reviewer of numerous journals across the world. Moreover, he is on the editorial board of the international journal, Aesthetique Journal for International Literary Enterprises (AJILE). He also serves as the Chief Advisor of Assam Outreach, Youth India Foundation. Last year, he brought out an edited volume with ISBN entitled Post-Colonial Praxis: Ramifications and Intricacies which had research papers from 7 different countries.

Joint Secretary: Sripriya M R, Chennai

Sripriya M R is an Assistant Professor, Department of English currently working at Velammal Institute of Technology, Panchetti, Chennai. She served as a Resource person and Trainer for the One Month soft skill Programme on Personality Development conducted online jointly by Dreams Endeavour and All India Forum For English Students, Scholars and Trainers (AIFEST) in 2021 published in the YouTube channel of AIFEST. She has cleared Emaester Teacher Training Program in Communication Training and also worked at Ufaber company, Mumbai for 6 months in online mode to various ages of students and places across India in 2021. She has completed Post Graduate Diploma in English Language Teaching (PGDELT) at Regional Institute of English, South India, Bengaluru in 2019. She has cleared Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test (TNSET) in 2018. She completed her Master of Philosophy at PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore in 2017. She is a budding Research Scholar having published 4 papers in international conferences and UGC approved list of journals. She has also presented 5 papers in state, national and international level conferences.

Treasurer: Nidhi Motiramani, Rajasthan

Nidhi Motiramani is a Visiting Lecturer at Ganpat University, Mehsana (Gujarat). She has completed her Masters of Arts (English) from Sophia Girls’ College, Ajmer. She qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) in June 2020. Currently, she is teaching English Language and Communication Skills at the University. Simultaneously, she is also working on research projects. She is known for her abiding love for literature. She has a keen interest in teaching because she believes teaching is therapeutic. She is particularly interested in reading dramas, essays and short stories.

Academic Coordinator -1: Shatarupa Mishra, Orissa

Shatarupa Mishra is an Assistant Professor of English at Govt. Women’s College, Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, Odisha. She completed MA in English from the University of Hyderabad, and she was awarded the Sarojini Naidu Memorial Trust Gold Medal by the university in 2010. She cleared the UGC-NET in 2013. She has ten years of teaching experience. Her research interests include postcolonial ecocriticism, posthumanism and memory studies. Her short story titled ‘Creation’ is published as part of an e-book: Esmeralda’s Hair and Other Stories. Her poems have been published by Erothanatos, a peer-reviewed quarterly journal on literature, and the Knot Magazine, USA. Her research articles have been published in national e-journals. She is a member of the Memory Studies Association (launched in Amsterdam in 2016 as a professional association for Memory Studies scholars. ) She has presented papers in national and international conferences. She has been the convenor of national level webinars on effective English Communication. She is the Coordinator of the Language Laboratory of her institution and takes initiative in helping rural/tribal learners enhance their skills in English. She has also contributed to her college as the Superintendent of the Ladies’ Hostel and Academic Bursar.

Academic Coordinator -2: Richu Mariam Jacob, Kerala

Richu Mariam Jacob did her B. A in English Literature, Journalism and Communication (Triple Main) from TM Jacob Memorial Government College, Manimalakunnu and is currently struggling with her Master’s in English both literally and figuratively. She would very much like to meet the person reading this in person rather than as a phantom mysterious figure behind a virtual screen. Her priority of passion varies from literature, environment conservation and social service. If you avoid the fact that she asks too much questions for her own good, she is tolerable.

Human Resource Officer (HRO): Shabina Fatima, Ayodhya

Shabina Fatima is an Assistant Professor of English and an active researcher hailing from Ayodhya, India. She completed her graduation and post-graduation in English Language and Literature from Dr RML University Faizabad. Her interest in the theories of Judith Butler persuaded her to pursue an MPhil degree from University of Lucknow, wherein she interrogated issues of Gender and Performativity by applying these to the plays of Mahesh Dattani. A passionate teacher and an eternal student of Literature, she has served as an Assistant Professor on contract at various universities and colleges across the country before settling down once again at the researcher’s desk to pursue the doctoral degree. Judith Butler continued to exert a strong theoretical influence in the PhD programme as well, culminating in a feminist imaginative inquiry on male hegemony and the voices of resistance in Indian fiction. She is bracing herself for her thesis defence at the Department of English Studies and Research at Dr BR Ambedkar University Agra in 2021. Right through her research journey, she has pursued her pedagogic and philanthropic interests as well. She served as the Human Resource Officer at All India Forum for English Students, Scholars and Trainers (AIFEST) in 2020-21, following which she has been re-elected to the same post for yet another term. Her areas of interest include Translation Studies, Feminist literature, Indian writing in English, Subaltern Studies, Gender Studies and Modern/ Postmodern Literature. She has presented papers at various national and international conferences and has published research articles in international journals and book chapters. She serves as a research reviewer at various national and international journals like IJRSI (ISSN 2321-2705), IJRISS (ISSN 2454-6186) and IJCRT (ISSN 2320-2882), and is on the Editorial Board of The SPL Journal of Literary Hermeneutics. She provides part-time online tutoring to students from different parts of the country, focusing on Spoken English, Communication Skills and Soft Skills Enhancement.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) – 1: Shivangi Gandhi, Haryana

Shivangi Gandhi is a PhD aspirant. Her areas of interest include Cultural Studies and Feminist Studies. She did her majors in English Literature from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She is quite active in academic and co-curricular activities. She is currently doing PGCTE course from English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She is also doing B. E. D. from Buddha Institute, Karnal. She is a volunteer in Dreams Endeavour (it makes students job-ready). Recently she gave a public lecture on The Art of Stress Management which is published in the you tube channel of AIFEST. As far as the print publication is concerned, her opinion piece Smile or not to smile got published in June newsletter of All India Research Scholars Association. She is a bookworm, and prefers to stay with them in A room of one’s own. In her free time, she dwells on various life situations and tries to make sense out of them. She is quite sympathetic and empathetic towards humankind and works with the motto of- Welfare of one and all.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) – 2: Meher Gandhi, Bangalore

Meher Gandhi is an intrinsically motivated hard-worker and a learner who is passionate about literature. She holds a professional and diligent attitude towards work. She loves connecting with people and this makes her an empathetic team-player. She is an ardent reader and an avid writer. On her blog (The Scribblings) and Instagram page (@bustleboutbooks), one can find her encounters with literature as she reviews books sent to her by authors and publishers. Her volunteering experiences and close connection with authors and publishers at a global level have contributed towards her efficient communication and oratory skills. Subjects that she never misses reading about include psychology, culture and literature.

Membership and Welfare Officer (MWO) – 1: Shavleen Kour, Jammu

Shavleen Kour is a Research Scholar. She is pursuing her PhD in English Literature from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has qualified UGC NET-JRF, 4 times UGC NET and JKSET. Besides, she is serving as the Membership and Welfare Officer (MWO) in the All India Forum for English Students, Scholars and Trainers (AIFEST). Shavleen hails from Jammu, J&K. She has done her bachelors and masters from the University of Jammu. She has worked as an Assistant Professor in Government Degree College, Jammu. Shavleen has also worked as an English instructor and trainer in private institutions. In addition, she has accomplished skill-oriented vocational training courses in Proficiency French Language under IRG Scheme from Government Polytechnic Jammu. She has completed a 1-year diploma in Basic Programming Applications (BPA) from Rashtriya Saksharta Abhiyan IT education. Shavleen is a keen observer and follows empathetic approaches. She believes in humanity and loves to serve humanity.

Membership and Welfare Officer (MWO) – 2: R Santhini Devika, Tamil Nadu

Santhini Devika is a doctoral candidate in English literature from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. She is a multifaceted personality as she graduated a diploma in Engineering, Master of philosophy in English literature and Bachelor of Education too. She is currently working as Assistant professor of English at Theni Arts and science college, Theni. Her area of specialization includes Indian writing in English and Feminist studies. She is a positive, vibrant and Energetic person who takes efforts effortlessly.

Publicity and Promotions Officer (PPO) - 1: Mr Pattepu Sailu, Hyderabad

Sailu Pattepu (Saipattepu) is a JRF/SRF scholar at Department of Theatre Arts, SN School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad. He is an actor, director, writer and an applied theatre practitioner, yoga wellness instructor and life coach. He is a certified professional yoga wellness instructor from the ministry of AYUSH, government of India. He worked as a Radio Jockey for five years. He has bagged two international bursary awards from the IFTR (International Federation for Theatre Research). He presented his research papers in several international conferences like IFTR and ISTR in India and in several countries. He was member of UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) on digital art and theatre-2013-15, member of the co-coordinating team of the IBSEN project from 2014-2018, and one of the members of the organizing team of International Federation for Theatre Research (IFTR) annual conference hosted by the department in July 2015. And worked with distinguished theatre exponents like Prof. Neelu Kamaluddin, Abhilash Pillai, Duglus O’ Connel. He has conducted many wellness and empowerment workshops for youth, women and retired people.

Publicity and Promotions Officer (PPO) - 2: Ayesha Rahman, Lucknow

Ayesha received her Bachelors and Masters degree in English from University of Lucknow. For quite a while she worked as a part-time Communication Trainer while pursuing her Masters. Presently, she is working as an Online English Teacher. In addition, Ayesha is pursuing a diploma in "Women's Health and International Human Rights" at Stanford University. An ardent reader, Ayesha loves to explore realist literature and articles based on social psychology in her spare time. Ayesha is also well-versed in Urdu language and takes delight in reading Urdu literature especially Urdu poetry. Ayesha is a light-hearted individual who enjoys interacting with both young and old alike and possesses a proclivity to counsel those in distress.