‘Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep,’- APJ Abdul Kalam in his ‘Wings of fire’. I didn’t understand the true meaning of the quote while reading the book, but now it is all clear, thanks to Shrikant Pantawane and his inspirational journey.
Everyone of us have big dreams, but only some of us have the capability to make them true. One such outstanding personality is Nagpur’s Shrikant Pantawane and this is his story.
Shrikant Pantawane was one of the many unemployed youth of Kanpur. He started his career as delivery boy, very early in his life (while studying his 11th grade). Being, son of a security guard, his family’s dwindling finances forced him to become an auto driver. Shrikant started supporting his family from his teens while balancing his education and job.
He had the talent and Zeal to succeed, all he needed was a pinch of luck and that’s what exactly he got. During his course of journey as an auto driver, he once went to the airport to deliver a parcel. While delivering the parcel to the cadets he overheard their conversation that one could also become a pilot even without being inducted in the Indian Air Force. Later the ‘Chai-Wala’ outside the airport educated him about the pilot scholarship program by the DGCA. Shrikant learned that he had to score big in his 12th grade to get the scholarship. After that there is no stopping him.
He immediately shifted his sole concentration on his 12th grade books and got selected to the scholarship programme when the results were announced. But some of his past still fought hard against his ascendance. Being from regional language medium of education, his main hurdle was English, but that was nothing to undermine his will, he soon overcame the language barrier with same determination.
he completed his pilot training programme with flying colors and got his commercial pilot license. Just 9 weeks back, he received a call from Indigo Airlines that included him as a First Officer in its pack of pilots. His dream came true. he can now sleep with ease. Interestingly both Abdul Kalam and Shrikant both started their careers as delivery boys, both share the same interest in aviation. Abdul Kalam climbed his hurdles to become Indian president, Shrikant started his climb just now. What destiny the world has in store for him? Only time will tell.
