In the competitive arena of Indian logistics, where reliability is currency and timing is everything, Debashis Mitra has built more than just a company—he has built a bridge between economies. As the Founder and CEO of Behag Overseas, Mitra has transformed a modest start-up into a thriving, multi-location logistics enterprise defined by trust, precision, and relentless service.
The Unconventional Start
Most MBA graduates head straight into corporate roles. Mitra, however, charted his own course. Raised in a suburban town nearly 90 kilometres from Kolkata, he completed his post-graduation in Sociology at the University of Kalyani before earning an MBA—equipping himself with both people insight and business acumen.
In 1999, he entered the logistics industry with a salary of just ₹2,000 a month. Over the next decade, he immersed himself in the intricacies of customs, trade compliance, and cross-border movement. By the time he founded Behag Overseas in 2011, he had already earned the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Broker License, ensuring his venture was grounded in both credibility and expertise from day one.
From One Desk to Ten Offices
Behag Overseas began in a single table-space office in Kolkata. Today, it operates from 10 strategically placed offices across West Bengal and Guwahati, supported by a fully equipped headquarters in Kolkata. The company runs its own fleet of 17 trucks and manages modern warehousing facilities in Bangaon and Basirhat, offering both covered and open storage to meet diverse trade needs.
Its operational reach spans critical land ports such as Petrapole-Benapole and Ghojadanga-Bhomra—key gateways for commerce with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. These locations make Behag Overseas a vital player in the region’s cross-border trade ecosystem.
As Mitra puts it:
“We don’t just move cargo—we facilitate commerce, foster trust, and power economic connectivity across borders.”
The Behag Overseas Philosophy
Mitra built Behag Overseas on three core values: honesty, transparency, and service above all. In an industry often challenged by overpromises and miscommunication, his approach is refreshingly straightforward. The company’s mantra—“Service, Service, and Service”—is not a slogan but a way of working that ensures commitments are met with precision and integrity.
Clients know they can expect clear timelines, transparent pricing, and dependable execution—qualities that have earned Behag Overseas a loyal customer base and an enviable reputation in a competitive market.
Rising to Challenges
In logistics, unpredictability is part of the game—whether it’s regulatory changes, weather disruptions, or shifting border policies. Mitra’s team views these not as obstacles but as opportunities to demonstrate resilience.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while global supply chains were under immense strain, Behag Overseas worked 365 days a year, 24/7, ensuring uninterrupted cargo movement. High-stakes projects, such as the Adani Power Plant clearance in Godda, showcased the company’s ability to deliver complex operations with speed and accuracy.
Leadership Built on Empowerment
Mitra’s leadership style centres on empowering people. He believes that when employees feel trusted, valued, and challenged, they deliver exceptional results. At Behag Overseas, team members are encouraged to take ownership, innovate, and lead from within—a culture that has kept attrition low and performance high.
“Leadership is about building people, not just processes,” Mitra says. “When your team believes in the mission, success follows naturally.”
This collaborative ethos ensures that every success—whether clearing a critical shipment or expanding into a new location—is a shared victory.
Looking Ahead
While Behag Overseas is already a recognised name in Indian logistics, Mitra’s ambitions reach further. His vision is to make the company a cornerstone of India’s cross-border trade infrastructure—expanding its operational footprint, integrating technology, and delivering services that set new benchmarks for reliability and innovation.
Growth, however, is not just about numbers. For Mitra, it’s about impact—empowering regional economies, streamlining trade, and ensuring that Indian logistics is globally competitive while retaining the personal touch that has defined Behag Overseas since its inception.
A Journey Still in Motion
From a humble ₹2,000 monthly salary to leading a multi-office enterprise, Debashis Mitra’s story is a testament to resilience, integrity, and vision. Behag Overseas stands today not merely as a logistics provider, but as a trusted bridge between nations, proof that businesses built on honesty and service can thrive, scale, and inspire.
As Mitra looks to the future, his words encapsulate both ambition and humility:
“We are still on our journey. The true turning point is yet to come.”
Leave a comment