Kupwara, September 24, 2025 – In a soaring testament to determination and the transformative spirit of “New Kashmir,” 21-year-old Owais Manzoor from the remote village of Hangishart in Langate tehsil has etched his name in history as the district’s first commercial pilot. Selected by Air India as a Trainee First Officer, Owais’s journey from the rugged landscapes of Kupwara to the cockpit of a commercial airliner embodies the resilience of Kashmir’s youth, breaking barriers and inspiring a generation to chase the skies.Owais, hailing from a modest family—his father Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh a retired civil engineer and mother Tabasum Rashid a school teacher—nurtured a childhood fascination with aviation, mesmerized by the sight of cockpits and the mechanics of flight. After completing his schooling in Kashmir at institutions like Welkin School in Sopore and Handwara Public School, he pursued his passion outside the Valley, clearing DGCA exams and logging 200 hours of flying at Redbird Flight Training Academy in Karnataka. Despite challenges like intense competition and the uncertainties of a standby batch post-exams in August 2024, Owais’s perseverance paid off when he received his selection email from Air India in September 2025, securing his wings in one of India’s premier airlines.
Key Highlights of Owais Manzoor’s Inspiring Journey
- Historic Milestone: As Kupwara’s first commercial pilot, Owais joins Air India amid a selective recruitment process involving five rigorous rounds, setting a benchmark for aspiring aviators from North Kashmir’s border district.
- Childhood Dream Realized: From gazing at planes in awe to commanding one, Owais credits his success to hard work, divine grace, and unwavering family support, emphasizing patience and focus as keys to overcoming obstacles.
- Message of Empowerment: Urging parents and educators not to impose career paths, Owais advocates for letting youth explore their interests, stating, “Stay patient, set a goal, and work on it—we can achieve anything if we don’t let other things overpower us.”
Owais’s father, reflecting on the milestone, shared, “I provided him all the support he needed, and today he has made me proud.” The young pilot’s achievement has ignited celebrations across Handwara and Kupwara, with locals viewing it as a symbol of progress in a region long shadowed by conflict.
The Spirit of New Kashmir
Owais’s story resonates deeply in “New Kashmir,” a narrative of post-2019 transformation where enhanced opportunities in education, skills, and employment are enabling youth to transcend traditional limitations. In Kupwara—a district bordering Pakistan and known for its strategic significance—such successes highlight the shift toward innovation and self-reliance, aligning with initiatives like Skill India and aviation scholarships. Experts note that while Kashmir’s youth have always shown talent, the current era of stability is allowing dreams like Owais’s to take flight, potentially inspiring more to enter high-skill sectors like aviation.Social media has amplified the buzz, with posts celebrating #TalentBeyondConflict and #BadaltaKashmir garnering thousands of views. Videos of Owais in uniform and messages from peers underscore a collective pride, as one user noted: “From Hangishart to the heavens—proof Kashmir’s youth can soar when given wings.” As Owais prepares for his first commercial flights, his odyssey serves as a clarion call: the skies are no longer a distant dream for Kashmir’s next generation.
