Who is the first Assamese woman pilot to return to the sky at 85
At the age of 85, Dhir decided to go to the sky once again, at a time when most people slow down.
Anand Mahindra, Chairperson Mahindra and MahindraThe X (East Twitter) was taken to remember Dhir’s achievement: “He deserves a place in India’s Aviation Hall of Fame, just to be a trailblazer.”
Mahindra said, “But to fly again at 85, she is in a global hall of fame for her courage, her flexibility and a sense of life-confirmation.” He also shared the latest clip of Dhir flying on the picturesque scenarios of the Berkshire and Temes River.
It is Dhira Chaliha Hazarika, who is the first female pilot in the state of Assam, India.
In 1961, at the age of 21, he earned his pilot license.
And in September 2025, at the age of 85, she returned to the sky, taking control of a historic tiger Moth Biplen … pic.twitter.com/rpgjpl8jby
– Anand Mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 6, 2025
Who is Dhira Chaliha Hazarika?
Dhir Chaliha Hazarika was born in 1940 in Jorhat, and his first memories are as detailed as he is an expander in the form of the sky he aspired to cross. Perhaps the beginning of a lifetime passion, she would climb trees in her house and see a war aircraft on the Burma front.
During a period when women were expected to be in accordance with predetermined roles, Dhir was lucky for a father, Kamleshwar Chaliha, who supported her in following her dreams. After his graduation from Handic College in Guwahati, Dhira focused on an advertisement in 1959, which would change his life forever: Assam Flying Club offered six fully funded scholarships for pilot training.
He applied.
Dhira will practice flying in Tiger Moths and Swadeshi Pushpak, two-seater propeller aircraft twice a week. Each flight taught not only technical abilities but also courage, patience and accuracy because there was no modern suitability such as sophisticated navigation or reliable radio contact.
Dheera Chaliha became the first female pilot of Assam when she earned her pilot license at the age of 21 in April 1961. His single flight was from Borzhar to Tezpur. When she was flying between Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat and Shillong, the people of Azara gathered to see their land.
Despite facing practical challenges – such as hard terrain and no radio communication – he mainly remembers the enthusiasm.
Dhir had to sacrifice something on the way. She wanted to become a commercial pilot, but her priorities changed when she married Kamal Hazarika and moved to London. His decision to keep his family before his profession was one which was forced to make many women in his generation.
However, Dhir will continue going to flying clubs in London to tell everyone about their passion to fly.
60 years later, Dhira flew over England again in a tiger insect at the age of 85, marking one of the most poignant moments of his life. He flew under control with Captain John Towel over the Berkshire and Temes River.
This specific tiger insect was not a specific aircraft; It was in Hollywood products such as Thunderbirds and The Kings speech.
As the first female pilot in Assam, Dhira is currently writing her autobiography, which will revolution her years in the sky.
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