Behind the Journey-Zoya Agarwal

 

Captain Zoya Agarwal dreamt of touching the stars since she was 8. This childhood aspiration made her realise that if she could learn to fly and be a pilot, maybe she could see some up and close. However, she knew that making this goal into a reality wouldn’t be a cakewalk for her. 

Zoya shared her ambition of becoming a pilot with her mother and was instantly met with disapproval. However, that did not deter Zoya’s path. She was determined to follow her path and become a pilot. 

It’s about Taking Risks

Making a dream into a reality isn’t easy. Zoya was determined and ready to put in the hard work required to become a pilot. Her parents saw this, which convinced them to take a risk by availing a loan for her flying classes. 

She says her struggles didn’t end there. When she applied for a job, there were only 10 vacancies. However, 3,000 people applied for those 10 jobs. 

She applied anyway for the position and soon became the youngest commander to fly a Boeing 777. This feat is a testament to Zoya’s belief that good things come to people who aren’t afraid to take risks.

Zoya believes that she isn’t just working for herself. As a young woman in such a position, she is able to create a pathway for the future generation of girls who have the same dream. 

Zoya's accomplishments do not end with being a young commander in the cockpit. She led the Vande Bharat Mission, where 14,800 stranded Indians were brought back home in 64 flights during the COVID pandemic.  

She also captained an all-women crew during the inaugural direct flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru. 

Securing your future

Life is full of uncertainties. This holds true, especially in the aviation sector, and you are constantly exposed to this. While you cannot avoid them, Zoya says, you can create a backup by investing in insurance and financial planning.

She says things can go wrong at any time, and you should be equipped financially. This way, your family and loved ones will be cared for in case of unfortunate events. 

Zoya wants other girls to have a chance of reaching the stars without the same struggle. With her non-profit Udan Pari and Fly Girls, she aims to help educate girls. She believes that inspiring others to follow their dreams is like having a superpower that can only help others become a better version of themselves. 

Zoya was chosen as a spokesperson for Generation Equality by the United Nations in 2021. She was offered a full scholarship by the Columbia Business School in 2022. She also became the first Indian to enter the SFO Aviation Museum in San Francisco.1

These are no small achievements. Zoya knew this was only possible because her parents believed in her dream and were willing to take a financial risk. HDFC Life, through its campaign, ‘Behind the Journey’, salutes Zoya’s high-flying spirit that has helped her reach the stars and prove that the sky’s not the limit when you set your mind to conquering your goals.

source: https://gulfnews.com/friday/art-people/for-captain-zoya-agarwal-the-sky-isnt-the-limit-1.94532496

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ARN: ED/02/24/9540