https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

An IPS Film Maker, A Khaki Crusader, A Spiritual Explorer

A film written and directed by DIG Assam, Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, has been receiving international acclaim The IPS officer is a leading crusader against drugs and a champion of LGBT rights and animal rights A prolific writer, he also has a deeply spiritual side to him that loves to study and analyse ancient religious texts
Indian Masterminds Stories

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.

Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta (middle) at a film awards show

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.

The film, written and directed by Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, that has won international acclaim

“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.

IPS officer Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta

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.

Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta acting in a film

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.

Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, IPS, (left) seizing a huge drugs haul

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.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Ratings Growth
Rising Border Tensions Fuel Investor Interest in Defence Stocks
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC Shines at 10th India PSU IT Awards 2025, Bags Top Honors for Digital Excellence
Andhra Pradesh High Court
AP High Court Grants Interim Relief to IPS Officers in Kadambari Jethwani Case
Rajasthan Government
9 RAS Officers Transferred in Rajasthan; Govt Lifts Ban on Transfers in Border Districts
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-09 at 19.44
Foreign Ministry Press Briefing: Pakistan Fired 400 Turkish Drones, Used Civilian Flights as Shields to Deter Indian Retaliation
DelhiPolice
231 Police Officers Transferred in Delhi's Outer-North District in Major Reshuffle
BEML-Limited
BEML Declares Rs. 15 Interim Dividend Despite Weak Q3 Results
OIL INDIA
Motilal Meena Appointed as Non-Official Director on Board of Oil India Limited
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
IMG-20250429-WA0019
How Mission IAS is Transforming Dreams of Underprivileged UPSC Aspirants
Aakash Garg
Computer Engineer Aakash Garg Takes AIR-5 in UPSC CSE 2024 Through Sheer Discipline And Hard Work | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
iqbal-ahmad-upsc-2024
From Cycle Repair Shop to UPSC Rank 998: UP's Iqabal Ahmad’s Inspiring Journey Against All Odds
Iqbal Ahmad, son of a handyman from Sant Kabir Nagar, secured 998th rank in UPSC 2024, fulfilling his...
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
For over 20 years, IPS officer Sandeep Tamgadge has served Nagaland, navigating its unique cultural landscape...
Shubham Kaurav UPSC
Four Attempts, One Dream: How Shubham Kaurav Cracked UPSC CSE with AIR 291
With determination, self-study, and a strategic mindset, Gwalior’s Shubham Kaurav turned years of hard...
Social Media
Fakenews
Be Aware: Fake Videos and Propaganda Cloud Public Discourse After India’s Cross-Border Strike
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, numerous false and doctored videos claiming to show the strikes...
Indore Road Safety Campaign by Air Hostesses
The Cleanest of India, Indore, Launches Inclusive Road Safety Campaign Featuring Air Hostesses - Know More!
In a unique civic initiative, Indore Traffic Police deployed air hostesses using sign language at key...
Shakti Dubey AIR 1
UPSC Rank 1 Shakti Dubey's Success Sparks Debate on Civil Services Examination System, Ex-IPS Officer Raises Questions
Shakti Dubey’s UPSC Rank 1 success has sparked debate after ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad questioned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Ratings Growth
Rising Border Tensions Fuel Investor Interest in Defence Stocks
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC Shines at 10th India PSU IT Awards 2025, Bags Top Honors for Digital Excellence
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IMG-20250429-WA0019
Aakash Garg
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT