Flying Beyond Borders: Pride Pilots of the Skyland from Tripura
Ajit Kumar Bhowmik
May 1, 2025
I am often amazed by the silent strides made by sons and daughters of Tripura in different fields, and lately, it is the aviation sector that has caught my attention. Over the past week, I had the pleasure of hearing about two remarkable young pilots from our state. One of them belongs to a renowned jeweller's family in the Dimsagar area of Agartala and is now flying with Indigo as a commercial pilot. The other is the much-talked-about Captain B. Parthasarathi—whose achievements have been recently highlighted by tripurainfo.com editor Jayanta Debnath, both on the portal and his personal Facebook page.
But before these rising stars came into the limelight, Tripura had already sent its first pilot to the skies—Captain Bardhan, a name that should resonate with pride across our state. Hailing from Khayerpur, near Agartala, Captain Bardhan was a senior pilot with Indian Airlines. A gentleman of utmost warmth and hospitality, he carried the essence of Tripura in his demeanor.
I recall a memorable encounter with him aboard a flight to Mumbai. I was heading to Pune for an urgent Reserve Bank of India meeting. Finding that my connecting flight from Mumbai to Pune was tight due to a 20-minute delay, I scribbled a note to the cockpit: "Dear Captain, it seems that we are late by about 20 minutes. I am to attend an urgent meeting of RBI at Pune at 11:30 hrs. Can you please help me so that I don't miss the Pune flight at 09:00 hrs?" I enclosed my official ID.
To my utter surprise, I was invited to the cockpit. Captain Bardhan da, as I respectfully call him, greeted me like an old friend. Without hesitation, he contacted the Control Tower, inquired about the Pune flight, and even got in touch with its pilot. Coordinating seamlessly, they agreed to delay the departure by seven minutes to accommodate me. Bardhan da flew his aircraft right beside the Pune-bound flight, and to my amazement, the pilot was already at the entrance waiting to receive me. That moment left an indelible impression on me.
Captain Bardhan's humility was matched by his wit. Introducing his co-pilot, a young woman, he joked in our local Bengali, “মাইয়াডার বাপ এবং জামাই অ পাইলট”—“Her father and husband are pilots too, and now she pilots me!” The cockpit burst into laughter. Then, calling the cabin crew, he insisted, “Bring all the beautiful food for my dada sitting beside me!”
Though he had moved into training roles by then, he often returned to the captain's seat just to stay connected with the skies. On at least four or five other occasions, I was fortunate enough to fly with him again, and each time he made sure I was called to the cockpit for a brief chat.
I later discussed Captain Bardhan with the then-Minister Shri Pabitra Kar, who knew him personally. We both agreed—Tripura could take pride in such a personality who carried the spirit of our land at 30,000 feet above the ground.
Today, as we speak of Tripura’s aviation talents, I’m heartened to know there are more pilots emerging from this small yet vibrant state. While a piloting career demands brilliance, discipline, fitness, and significant financial backing, it also calls for something rarer—courage and clarity under pressure. It is, indeed, one of the most prestigious careers imaginable.
Captain Bardhan once handed me his visiting card and invited me to his home. It was an honour to connect with such a wonderful family outside Tripura, yet deeply rooted in our culture and ethos.
As the winds of change continue to carry new names from Tripura into the cockpit, let us celebrate each one of them—with pride, with encouragement, and with the hope that many more will follow as Capt. B.R. Bardhan Continuing his legacy, and his son, Capt. Sumit Bardhan, has also made Tripura proud by becoming one of the airline pilots from Tripura. Alongside him, Capt. Devid Debbarma has also emerged as a pioneering Tiprasa pilot in commercial aviation, marking a milestone for the indigenous community of Tripura. These trailblazers stand tall alongside Capt. Bardhan and Parthasarathi, notable Tiprasa pilot from the state, showcasing Tripura's growing presence in India's aviation industry and inspiring future generations.
Notably, Captain Bardhan passesway few years ago and his family has relocated to Kolkata. Meanwhile, Captain Parthasarathy's family continues to reside in the Badarghat area of Agartala. His younger brother is employed by the Tripura State Government in the Printing and Stationery Department.
Reading Jayanta Debnath’s reflections on Captain Parthasarathi was deeply moving. One genius paying homage to another. What Parthasarathi said about Jayanta Debnath and tripurainfo.com speaks volumes—not just about personal admiration, but about the values they share. We've seen with our own eyes how tripurainfo.com grew from humble beginnings into a towering platform that elevates Tripura’s voice. Jayanta, I hope you continue touching the skies, quite literally and metaphorically.( Writer is a former civil servant, government of Tripura and presently resides in Kolkata)
(Tripurainfo)
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