Malkangiri: In a significant milestone for Odisha’s aviation history, Anupriya Madhumita Lakra, a 32-year-old tribal woman and the state’s first commercial pilot from the Santal community, marked a poignant homecoming as she piloted the maiden flight from Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri. The historic moment unfolded as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the airport at Katelguda, ushering in a new era of connectivity for the once remote and left-wing extremism-affected district of Malkangiri.
Anupriya, having studied at Deepti Convent School in Malkangiri until Class VII and later completing her intermediate course from Jeevan Jyoti School in Semiliguda, pursued her dreams against the odds. Her journey took her to Bhubaneswar, where she initially enrolled in engineering studies. However, driven by her unwavering passion for aviation, she made a pivotal decision to join the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) in 2012.
In September 2019, Anupriya achieved her lifelong dream when she joined IndiGo as a co-pilot. Her dedication and trailblazing spirit were on full display as she piloted the historic flight connecting Bhubaneswar and Malkangiri, bridging the geographical gap between her dreams and her roots.