Prof. Omkar Nath Upadhyay

Professor & Former Head, English and Modern European Languages (MEL)
University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Profile

Born on 2 October 1963 in Varanasi, Prof. Omkar Nath Upadhyay is a distinguished academic,
researcher, and leading scholar of Diaspora and Girmitiya Studies in Indian higher education.
He views teaching as a life mission, dedicated to globalizing Indian cultural values and
migrant consciousness through rigorous scholarship.

Academic Qualifications

He earned B.A. (Hons.), M.A., L.T., and PhD in English from Banaras Hindu University (BHU),
completing his doctorate in 1992.

Teaching & Academic Career

Beginning his career with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (1989–1998), he later served at
Government P.G. College Kotdwar, K.S. Saket P.G. College Faizabad, and the University of Lucknow.
Since 2013, he has been serving as Professor at the University of Lucknow.

Diaspora & Girmitiya Studies

His research focuses on Indian diaspora literature, Girmitiya history, colonialism,
cultural memory, and identity. He coordinated the Centre of Indian Diaspora and Cultural Studies
at the University of Lucknow, recognized as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Publications & Research Leadership

Prof. Upadhyay has authored key works including Perspectives on Indian Diaspora and
English Poetry of the Movement. He has supervised over 30 PhD scholars and led a
UGC-sponsored major research project on Indian diaspora literature in Mauritius.

Academic Engagement & Honors

He has presented research internationally in the USA and Mauritius, organized global
conferences on Girmitiya studies, and served as an expert for UPSC, UPPSC, UGC, NTA, NCERT,
and IGNOU.

Vision

His future work focuses on rediscovering Girmitiya cultural roots, developing the concept of
Kashiscape, and advancing Girmitiya studies as a medium of cultural renaissance.