Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi: As a child, Farhan Majeed would see planes rising from the airbase close to his south Kashmir town of Awantipora and roaring across the sky.

“I would get to hear that roar all the day and somewhere it seeded a dream - of becoming a pilot – in my mind,” says Farhan, who, at the age of 20, is the youngest commercial pilot from Jammu and Kashmir.

His success story comes as a whiff of fresh air from South Kashmir that had remained in news for incessant terrorism-related violence for a long time.

After passing his 12th from Mantaqui high school, Farhan said he would sit on computer for hours doing his research about planes and flying. Then he got admission in Global Konnect Aviation services, Pant Nagar, Uttrakhand, for training as a pilot.

Today as he is employed as aco-pilot with a commercial airlines, his dream has come true.

Farhan Majeed

Speaking with Awaz the Voice, Farhan said, “I never had to face an impediment in the name of religion. If one has a positive thinking and patience, nothing can stop him from achieving his goal.”

Looking back Majeed says, “Though I am the same person, there is a big difference in my life; discipline has changed it.”

He has pleasant memories of his interaction with J&K Police when he had to obtain security clearance for his commercial license to fly.

His message to others with dreams is: First of all take a decision about what one wants to make of life and this requires mental preparation. The actual journey has many ups and downs and you can pull through only with your positive attitude.”

He also says besides the unavoidable hard work, “mindfulness” is also very important for realizing goals. He wants the Kashmiri Youth to be focused on chasing their dreams.

Farhan says in today’s world, social media is a reality that cannot be wished away. “I feel we can use social media to address the growing differences in the society and bringing people closer.”

Farhans feels he is blessed to have his very supportive parents – both are teachers. “After Allah, the credit for my success goes to my parents, who helped me all through.”

Today Farhan is not only happy with his life; he is seen as a youth icon by Kashmiris.