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Durba Banerjee was the first pilot of Indian Airlines in 1956 and the first Indian woman commercial pilot.
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Early life
As a child while growing up Banerjee liked planes and flying, becoming a pilot was her passion. She was the first woman of her times to break stereotypes and venture into this field.
Career
Banerjee started her aviation career flying a Dakota with Kalinga Airlines as an Air Survey pilot in 1959.
She moved on to join Indian Air Lines at the Calcutta base in 1966 and later retired in November, 1988. It is heard that when she first approached then Central Aviation Minister Mr.Humayun Kabir to apply as a commercial pilot he was reluctant and instead offered her the post of a flight attendant.
She has to her credit the most flying hours with 185000 hrs.