Happy World Pilot's day.
When I first started flying commercially, I expected to get used to the views in a while, as it is something that occurs everyday. I have never been more wrong. No other career gives you the luxury of enjoying sunsets from 40000feet. Just last week while we shot an approach into Srinagar, flying over the snow-capped hilly terrain to seeing the fields of Mustard look like lakes of yellow was just as breath taking as my first day flying. It has been six years since, and not one day has gone where I haven't marvelled at the beauty of this planet.
Even on days when pillars of lightening, which look as frightening as they sound surround us, or days of dodging cyclones, or flying five tiring flights in a day, it is all worth it. Just to get humbled everyday by the grandeur and beauty of nature is something that I would never exchange for anything else in this world.
Many people have asked me, why I did not become a writer or a songwriter full time instead of a pilot. The truth is, once you have soared through the skies and seen the world through the eyes of God, you'd spend your life looking upwards, waiting for the next chance.
To the select few of us, fortunate enough to experience this, Happy World Pilots day! Never forget how lucky we are to get to do what we do. Even in these hard times where there is little to no pay, and where you risk yourself to bring people their medicines and food, and no matter how difficult it is to stay away from the people you love, in unfamiliar places, never forget that we are a part of something much bigger than us as an individual.
Stay strong, stay safe and keep looking to the skies.
-A