Parismita Hazarika, presently serving as a Community Health Officer under the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, represents a remarkable journey shaped by rural upbringing, academic perseverance, medical service and a deep interest in psychology. Born and brought up in Bokakhat subdivision of Golaghat district, Assam, near the world-famous Kaziranga National Park, she developed an early connection with nature, education and community life.
Her curiosity towards science began during childhood, when her father introduced her to basic scientific concepts such as the movement of the Earth and planets. Her mother, who worked as a teacher at Parangania Prathamik Vidyalaya, played an equally important role in developing her discipline and study habits. After her mother resigned due to illness, her father entered government service, becoming a significant influence on her education and future aspirations.
Her academic journey took a decisive turn when she secured admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Golaghat, after independently preparing for the entrance examination. Although her mother was initially reluctant to send her to a residential school, the opportunity became an important milestone in her development. The institution exposed her to discipline, academic competition, creativity and independence.
She initially excelled in Mathematics but later shifted her academic focus following an unexpected setback in her 2006 board examination. She chose Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Hindi and Fine Arts for her higher secondary studies and completed Class XII in 2008 with 75.6 per cent. Her strong performance in Biology reflected an interest that had developed from her childhood exposure to science.
Medicine remained her childhood ambition. After qualifying for the state medical entrance examination in 2008, circumstances prevented her from securing admission to a conventional medical college. She subsequently joined B.Sc. Botany at J.B. College, Jorhat, where she performed well academically but soon realised that Botany did not align with her long-term aspirations.
She later secured admission on merit from Golaghat district to the Diploma in Medicine and Rural Health Care (DMRHC) programme. The demanding medical course strengthened her determination to serve rural communities. In the final examination, she emerged as the sixth topper in Assam and achieved the highest marks in Surgery across the state. Following her training and internship at Jorhat Medical College Hospital, she received her appointment and began her professional career at Azara BPHC in Kamrup Rural district.
Her approach to healthcare has consistently extended beyond clinical responsibilities. During her service, she provided free treatment to villagers on several occasions, building strong relationships with the communities she served. Her commitment to understanding people more deeply also motivated her to pursue Psychology through a distance-learning programme at IGNOU, Delhi.
The closure of the DMRHC programme in 2015 became a challenging period in her professional journey. Despite institutional uncertainties and personal difficulties, she remained committed to completing her education. It took her nearly a decade to complete her psychology course while managing professional responsibilities.
Her academic research culminated in a thesis titled “Why Do Men Rape? The Psychology and Emotional Causes Behind Rape Offenders.” The study reflected her concern about sexual violence as a major social issue and her desire to understand the psychological factors behind such offences with an aim to erase rape from India .
Today, she continues her work as a Community Health Officer under NHM, Assam. Her journey from a small-town upbringing to healthcare service reflects resilience, determination and a strong commitment to community welfare. Through her medical experience and interest in psychology, she continues to pursue a broader vision of healthier, safer and more socially aware communities.
**********************