News Desk
In the heart of Srinagar, amid the bustling streets of downtown, a young woman named Iram Habib dared to dream beyond the traditional confines of her community. At 17, after excelling in her Class 12 examinations, Iram confided in her parents about her aspiration to become a commercial pilot. Their response was one of disbelief and concern: “A Kashmiri girl cannot don the role of a pilot.”
Undeterred, Iram embarked on a path less traveled. She pursued a degree in forestry from Dehradun, followed by a master’s from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Yet, the call of the skies remained ever-present. “Somehow, the dream to fly an aircraft was in me all through while I studied forestry,” Iram reflected.
The journey to the cockpit was fraught with challenges. Societal expectations and familial reservations loomed large. “I had to study hard and pass exams. In the US, I had 260 hours of flying experience which is important for the license,” she recounted. Despite obtaining commercial pilot licenses in the US and Canada, Iram’s heart was set on flying in Indian airspace.
Her determination bore fruit when she received job offers from IndiGo and GoAir. By September 2018, Iram was poised to join IndiGo as a first officer, marking a historic moment as Kashmir’s first Muslim woman pilot. “During my training and exams, everyone would be surprised to see a woman from Kashmir as a pilot, but there was no discrimination,” she noted with pride.
Iram’s achievement is not an isolated beacon. The region has witnessed a surge of women breaking stereotypes and embracing aviation. Ayesha Aziz, for instance, became India’s youngest female pilot at 25, inspiring countless others with her journey. “I think Kashmiri women are doing very well, especially in education,” Ayesha observed, highlighting the progressive strides made by women in the valley.
As of February 2025, Iram continues to soar the skies, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of dreams and the breaking of barriers in a region rich with potential and ambition.
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