Proud Indian: Meet Anupriya, The 1st Tribal Woman From Odisha To Fly A Commercial Plane

This Monday, we woke up to the most wonderful news on the internet, the Maoist-affected Malkangiri district of Odisha just got its first female commercial pilot! Anupriya Madhumita Lakra, who is the daughter of a police constable in Malkangiri is inspiring a thousand girls in the district by becoming the first woman to fly a commercial plane. The 27-year-old is all set to join Indigo Airlines as a co-pilot later in September, after completing her training from the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) in Bhubaneshwar.

Anupriya’s father, Mariniyas Lakra spoke to a leading newspaper about how her ambition encouraged him to save up for her education. “Though it was difficult for me to fund her pilot training, I took loans and got help from relatives. I always ensured that my daughter gets an education in the field she wanted to,” he stated.

“We are happy that she has become what she always dreamt of. I want my daughter to be a source of inspiration for all girls. I urge all parents to support their daughters,” said Jimaj (mother) while talking about her daughter, Anupriya Lakra.

Odisha TV

Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, also took to social media to congratulate Anupriya, “I am happy with her achievement. She will be a role model for several girls.”

Anupriya, who is the eldest of three children (she has two younger brothers) initially began studying engineering but switched as soon as she realised that she wanted to pursue a degree in aviation. Her journey hasn’t either been easy for her or her family. Her family has gone through a tough time to help her pursue her education. But according to the Tribal leader and president of Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, Niranjan Bisi, an Oraon tribeswoman, Anurpriya is breaking barriers across the state by becoming not only the first tribal woman from Malkangiri but Odisha to become a commercial pilot. “In a district that is yet to see a railway line, it is a matter of pride for tribals there that a local woman will now fly a plane,” she told a newspaper.

Keep inspiring us with your accomplishments!

Featured Image: Orissa Diary

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