The Soul Traveller Podcast | Deepak Kumar Gupta

The Soul Traveller Podcast ft. Deepak Kumar Gupta

Hosted by: Bhupendra Pratap Singh
Edited by: Sushant Sarkar
Record Assistance: Sandeep Singh & Prateek

Episode Overview

In this enriching episode of The Soul Traveller Podcast, we sit down with Deepak Kumar Gupta to explore a journey shaped by literature, research, poetry, disability studies, and community engagement. The conversation moves seamlessly across academia and activism, personal creativity and institutional change, offering valuable insights for students, researchers, and anyone interested in inclusive knowledge-making.

About the Guest — Deepak Kumar Gupta

Deepak Kumar Gupta is an Assistant Professor of English at Motilal Nehru College (Evening), University of Delhi, and a Doctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

He completed his Graduation from Ramjas College and his Master’s degree from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. His academic and creative interests span literary disability studies, the Indian novel, Urdu poetry, and Japanese language and culture.

A published poet and scholar, Deepak has authored multiple academic papers and book chapters. He is also a passionate Ghazal writer and performer, actively engaged in poetic translation and literary performance.

Awards, Recognition & Academic Engagement

Deepak’s work reflects a strong commitment to education, accessibility, and inclusion. His recognitions and roles include:

• Indira Award for Academic Excellence (Government of NCT of Delhi)

• Letter of Appreciation from the Education Minister, Government of India

• Member, Inter-ministerial and UGC Committees on Accessibility

• Council Member, VIHETA (Visually Impaired Higher Education Teachers Association)

Alongside his academic career, he has actively contributed to NGOs, Enabling Units, and disability rights initiatives, working at the intersection of policy, pedagogy, and social justice.

Key Themes Discussed in This Episode

• Deepak’s literary and academic journey

• Disability studies and inclusive education in Indian higher education

• Urdu poetry, Ghazal writing, and the art of translation

• Japanese language and cultural studies

• Community work, advocacy, and policy engagement

• Experiences at the University of Delhi and IIT Delhi

• Guidance and reflections for students and young researchers

Why This Episode Matters

This episode offers more than an academic biography—it presents a lived perspective on inclusive education, creative scholarship, and socially engaged research. Deepak Kumar Gupta’s experiences highlight how literature and poetry can become powerful tools for visibility, access, and transformation within higher education and beyond.

Connect with Deepak Kumar Gupta

• Instagram: @deepak_rohtasi

• YouTube: Deepak Rohtasi

• LinkedIn: Deepak K. Gupta (Rohtasi)

• Email: d95gupta@gmail.com

About The Soul Traveller Podcast

The Soul Traveller Podcast is a platform where scholars, creators, artists, travellers, and changemakers come together to share their journeys, ideas, and lived experiences.

Hosted by Bhupendra Pratap Singh, PhD Scholar at the Delhi School of Social Work, the podcast aims to document meaningful conversations that bridge academia, creativity, and social impact.

Explore more episodes and stories on The Soul Traveller.