Ayesha Aziz always wanted to fly high and her dream came true when she turned 17. She is the first Kashmiri girl who has been awarded the student pilot license by Bombay Flying Club. She became the role model for every girl in Kashmir and across India who like her belongs from a middle class family but has big dreams.

She further informed that at the age of 8 she had started dreaming of this day and since then she never looked back or changed her mind.

She made the girls realize that with proper will and dedication girls can accomplish their dreams just like any man can. When asked to her about her feeling regarding such a big accomplishment she said “It’s a dream come true,” and further informs excitedly about her journey to this level “It was in November 2011, I cleared the examination for Student Pilot License. Then in another examination I obtained the Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s License”. She has made her family and the entire country proud of her.

She later informed that now as she has the student pilot license she will be trying for CPL – Commercial Pilot License. When asked about her inspiration, she said “Like Wright brothers, I too had free-spirited desires and would watch birds flying for hours and hours and imagine myself in the sky. In fact, at times my wildness made me experiment with using self-made artificial wings to try flying. But all that was just an unsuccessful outlet to my dreams”. Apart from the Wright Brothers her role model was Sunita Williams.

She further said “I always used to think if she had ability to do such thing, why can’t other girls. It is from her achievements as a woman, that I got inspired.” We certainly agree with what you said Ayesha Aziz. She continued “I developed a mindset that no defeat is final until you stop thinking.”

She felt very fortunate when NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) visited Bombay Flying Club where she was getter her training. She was one among the three students whom NASA selected for their Student Space Training Program.

She then took the 2 month training program at NASA, in the US. On return to India she was very excited with her trip and experience at NASA. She said “It was a wonderful experience there in the US. Most of the activities in Space Academy Huntsville in Space Shuttle Mission, multi-axis training, micro-gravity, manned manoeuvring unit, Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) and Area 51 activities were exciting and unforgettable”.

When asked about what she thinks should be the mindset of Kashmiri girls and other girls who belong from middle class family or stay in semi-developed areas. She said “Nothing is impossible, if you are determined to work hard for your dream. I’d urge that all young girls from Kashmir must have a dream and a supporting strategy to realize it. Work hard and have faith in God, opportunities are bound to knock at your door”.

We really wish that girls out there think and get inspired to realize their dream and never let anything stop them from dreaming and progressing.

Thank-you Ayesha, you will surely be a role model for thousands and millions of girls across the nation and the world.