Being an Indian Police Service officer is just one side of the multifaceted Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, who is currently DIG (Admin) and Special Task Force (STF) Chief in Assam. When he is not policing, he is involved in a slew of activities like performing arts, literature, sports, conservation, social service, and spirituality.
Recently, a film written and directed by him, Lachit The Warrior, won the Best Animation Film award in a prestigious international film festival. The biopic short film is made on the life and works of the great Assamese General Lachit Barphukan. The officer is also known as a leading crusader against drugs, and as a champion of LGBT rights and animal rights.
In conversation with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta gave some details about his profession and his passion.
THE FILM MAKER
The IPS officer has a keen interest in films and acting. He loves acting and has acted in 20 Assamese Films and seven popular TV serials, and music videos. Now, he has turned his attention towards directing movies.
A film he has directed, Lachit The Warrior, has won the Best Animation Film Award in the 7th Chambal International Film Festival that was held on 9-10 September. This year, 184 films in various categories from 32 countries including India, Taiwan, USA, UK, Vietnam, Egypt, Australia, Iran, Spain, Portugal, Serbia and Turkey were given official entry to the festival.
“This biopic short film has been made on the life and works of the great Assamese General Lachit Barphukan,” Dr. Mahanta said.
The film has also won the Best Documentary Film Award and Best Director Award in Jaipur International Film Festival -2023, and was officially selected for the Northeast Film Festival, Mumbai under NFDC and 6th South Asian Short Film Festival, Kolkata.
His short film, Hargila: The Greater Adjutant Stork, was an official selection in the Mumbai Short Film Festival India, 2022 and 11th Delhi Short International Film Festival, 2022; won the Best Documentary award in Tagore International Film Festival and the Special Jury Mention Award in the 13th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2023. Another film, Bohag Bohag Mon, won the Best Short Film on Environment & Culture award in the Northeast Film Festival-2023, Mumbai.
THE KHAKI CRUSADER
In a career spanning over three decades, the IPS officer has come to be known as a leading crusader in the anti drugs operations in the state. He has been decorated with many awards and medals, including President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Service, DGP Commendation Medals, etc.
He is feared and respected at the same time. He is feared for his zero tolerance for drug mafia and insurgents, and respected for his tireless efforts to bridge the gap between police and public.
While policing, he also extends his hand towards social service wherever he gets a chance. When he was posted as SP in Dhubri, he was actively involved with the 21 JAT Regiment of Indian Army in a plantation drive in which over 4 lakh saplings were planted on a single day, which was a world record. He is also deeply involved in the conservation of the Greater Adjutant stork which is in the red list of Top 20 Endangered species of IUCN.
He is Adviser of the Zublee Foundation which works for creating awareness for organ donation. He assists endeavours for prevention of cruelty to animals and supports the cause of LGBT and helps in organizing campaigns to sensitize people towards them.
He also organises special classes to educate Safai Karmacharis, and free coaching classes and career counseling programmes for the children of police personnel.
“I am a police officer by profession and a social worker by passion. I am always only a call away from the common people,” he said.
THE WRITER
Dr. Mahanta is also a prolific writer. He has authored four books in English and one in Assamese. The names of his English books are Kamakhya, The Colours of Majuli, Rhino, Shiva. And the one in Assamese is Jibonor Sanglap, a book of his poems.
“I also authored a book on ‘Weapons and Tactics’, which is the only Assamese book used for training Assam Police personnel at the State Police Training College,” Dr. Mahanta added.
He is the Honorary Editor of ‘Aina Jibonor’, a popular lifestyle magazine, and writes two fortnightly columns for an Assamese Daily and an English portal. He has also contributed a chapter on Navratri in the book Navaratri edited by Bibek Debroy and Anuradha Goyal.
For his literary contribution, he was honoured with the Ananda Chandra Agarwala Award by the Asom Sahitya Sabha.
THE SPIRITUAL EXPLORER
The officer grew up in the historical town of Sivasagar in Assam, near the famous Siva Dol (temple) built by the Ahom dynasty. Perhaps, this explains his deep inclination towards spirituality and his devotion to “Mahadev” that has taken him on many pilgrimages.
“For me, work is worship. I want to work towards preserving our ancient culture and heritage. I am a deeply spiritual person and like to study and analyse the ancient Hindu religious texts. I like to go on pilgrimages as they provide deep insights into our heritage and help me to meditate on the actions I need to take in my state. That is why, I also went on the very tough Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was a highly enriching and enlightening experience.”
