Opinion | Flight from Hanjisharth to Air India Airlines owais turned dreams into reality

Owais Manzoor’s journey from the small village of Hanjisharth to the skies as a Trainee First Officer for Air India is an inspiring journey of his ambition. His father Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, a retired civil engineer, and Tabasum Rashid, a teacher, Owais grew up in a supportive environment that emphasized the importance of education and hard work. His early life in the small village of Hangisharth 3kms away from Handwara Town, laid the foundation for what would become an extraordinary path towards a career in aviation.

He began his schooling at Welkin Educational Trust sopore, where he studied until class 8th. His time at Welkin Educational Trust Sopore laid the basic groundwork for his academic discipline and focus.
After completing his middle schooling, He joined New Millennium Public School in Handwara, where he continued his studies up to class 10th. This phase of his life was crucial, not just for his academics but for solidifying his ambitions.
It was here that he first developed a curiosity about flying. The skies over the valley, serene yet vast, sparked a dream in him that would grow stronger with time. His teachers and friends began noticing his interest in aviation and the drive to achieve something out of the ordinary.

After complete his 10th class, He joined to Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Handwara. He completed his 12th class from here, focusing on subjects that would eventually pave his way into the aviation field. His time in BHSS Handwara was characterized by hard work, and a single-minded focus on his ultimate goal for becoming a pilot.
The journey for becoming a pilot is not an easy one. After completing his 12th class in 2022, Owais set his sights on Delhi, where he embarked on the rigorous and challenging path to clear the six DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) exams. These exams are essential for anyone wishing to pursue a career in aviation in India, and they are known for their difficulty. The preparation required a deep understanding of multiple aviation-related subjects, from meteorology to air navigation, air regulations, and technical specifics of aircraft operations. Owais approached this challenge with relentless and acing the exams, which became the stepping stone to his next phase—flight training.
After successfully clearing the DGCA exams, Owais joined the Redbird Flight Training Academy in Karnataka.where his dream of flying started taking a tangible form. At Redbird, he completed his first 200 hours of flying training, learning the intricacies of aircraft control, flight management, and safety protocols. The experience gained during these rigorous flying hours helped him to build the confidence and skillset required for a professional flying career.
In 2023, after completing his training in India, he took the next big step. To become a fully qualified commercial pilot, he needed a type rating—an additional qualification that allows pilots to operate specific types of aircraft. For this, he went to BAA Vietnam, a leading aviation training provider, to gain type rating for the Airbus A320, one of the most widely used commercial jets in the world. This stage of training was a significant leap forward, marking his’ transition from a trainee pilot to someone capable of handling complex jet aircraft.
With his training complete, he was ready to enter the highly competitive world of commercial aviation. In 2023, Air India, the country’s flagship airline, announced a vacancy for Trainee First Officers. He applied, knowing that this was the opportunity he had been working towards for years. The selection process was tough and included five challenging rounds, each designed to test the knowledge, skills, and temperament of aspiring pilots.
The rounds included assessments on theoretical knowledge, practical flying abilities, psychometric tests, and interviews. Each stage was more demanding than the last, and only the best could make it through. But at every step in the process was a reflection of the years of hard work, sacrifice, and focus he had invested in his dream. After successfully passing all five rounds, he was selected to join Air India as a Trainee First Officer a monumental achievement for anyone in the aviation field.
Owais Manzoor’s journey from the small village of Hanjisharth in Handwara to the prestigious cockpit of an Air India aircraft is not just his personal triumph, rather It is an inspirational story for countless young dreamers in Kashmir and beyond. Growing up in a region where opportunities can often seem limited, His hardwork and success serve as a beacon of hope for others who dare to dream big.
His story exemplifies the power of perseverance and ambition. It highlights that no dream is too big if pursued with passion and commitment. His achievement is also a reflection of the support and values instilled in him by his parents. His father, Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, a retired civil engineer, and his mother, Tabasum Rashid, a teacher, played a pivotal role in encouraging him to aim for the skies both literally and figuratively.
As he begins his career as a Trainee First Officer with Air India, his journey is far from over. This achievement marks the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career in aviation. The future holds countless opportunities for growth and learning, and with the determination and focus he has shown so far, there’s no doubt that he will soar to even greater heights.

His story is not just about becoming a pilot; it’s about setting an example of ambition, and the ability to overcome obstacles. His journey from the village of Hanjisharth to the skies of India and world is a story of a dream turned into reality. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter where one starts, with dedication and hard work, the sky is truly the limit.

His story of achieving this aim will work as a driving force for thousands of students and I believe that this will provide a road map for the achievers. We need to build the educated and developed societies where such more shining stars will come and will make us proud.

During our interaction with Owais and his family, The most renowned and unparalled academician Mr Manzoor Ahmad Bhat Dy Chief Education Handwara mentioned that we are having lot of talent in our district but the need of the hour is counseling and guidance and he mentioned that during our various interactive programs with Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara Mr Aziz Ahmad Rather (JKAS) he is having a plan for such guidance and counseling sessions.
I hope our youth will join strong hands with education and will make us proud by their achievements. We need to initiate the program “Back To Roots”. Where education will be priority.

Javeed Abdullah
Writer is an Educator, columnist
and a stage-Host.He can be reached at
Javeedwrites378@gmail.com