Staff of former club cast a spell on Dispur: Assam Flying Club

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 9: The history of flying club or aero club in Assam goes date back 57 years. In was 1958  when Radha Gobinda Baruah set up the first flying club in the state, Assam Flying Club. That was a legacy which could not be continued by those at the helm of affairs, including the State Government,  and the club met its death in 2010. However, the death of Assam Flying Club failed to be the dead end for those who 'do not want' to get their wings clipped. At the initiative of College of Aeroutical Engineering, with the same me Assam Flying Club rose like a phoenix from the ashes in 2014 with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as its president, and began to flap its wings again. It is amazing how strong the human spirit is. Is the revival of the club a smooth affair?     
Talking to newsmen in Guwahati today, Assam Flying Club general secretary Bikrom Singha Lahakar said: "We're  making strides against all odds. The staff of the former flying club never want this club to be successful, and maybe they have cast a spell on the state government that seems to give us a cold shoulder. So far Dispur has released us Rs 30 lakh. This is a pittance for a project like a flying club. The governments of Kartaka, Tamil du, Maharashtra, Punjab, Harya, Andra Pradesh, etc., released Rs 6-7 crore for their respective flying clubs."
Strong will works harder when going gets tough. "We've got various approvals under the CAR 145, CAR M support G (CAMO), CAME, MOE and FRB so far. The Civil Aviation Minister replied to our Chief Minister that the functiolity of Assam Flying Club cannot be allowed at LG13I Airport, Guwahati. It is good news that on personnel to the Civil Aviation Minister, including Secretary, Civil Aviation and Chairman, Airports Authority of India the permission has been granted at LGBT Airport. Filly approval for maintence base has been received," Lahakar said.
Lahakar said: "After discussion with the Cess Company of USA and DGCA regarding various technical aspects various aeroplane parts and equipment have already reached to this organization. To make the aeroplane airworthy, with the approval of DGCA, many organizations such as Delhi Flying Club, Bombay Fly Club and various other organisations of Kolkata and Delhi are supporting through many ways."
"Former employees of the flying club and some unscrupulous people have even misguided the government and have succeeded to some extent in their vested endeavour. They have also registered seven cases before the Gauhati High Court to which I persolly argued and dismissed all the cases," Lahakar said.
The club registered under the Assam Registration Act 1860 has Dhirendra th Bezboruah, Prafulla Gobinda Baruah, Capt. Robin Bordoloi, Iqbal Hazarika, Nitu Lahkar, Capt. K K K Singh, Jyoti Prasad Sarr, Jyotirmoy Das, Dilsan Ahrned, Johnny Basurtary, Prakash Jaiswal, RahuI Roy, Diganta Saikia, Diganta Boro, Dimpal Hazarika, Arñob Bora, Dharitri Baishya and  Bikrom Singha Lahkar as life members.