Anupriya Lakra Becomes First Woman Pilot From Odisha's Naxal Hit Malkangiri

Hailing from Odisha's Naxal-affected Malkangiri district, 27-year-old Anupriya Lakra has scripted history by becoming the first female pilot from the backward region. Lakra, who will soon join a private airline as a co-pilot, has achieved this feat after years of hard work. At 23, she decided to quit engineering and join the aviation academy to fulfil her dream of becoming a pilot. Extending good wishes on her remarkable achievement, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said in a tweet that Lakra has become an inspiration by setting an example for others to emulate. While speaking to media, Anupriya Lakra's mother said, "People used to say she will not be able to do it as we belong to a backward village. But she has proved them wrong. We feel very proud of her."