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Sharjah school alumnus flies out stranded Indians from UAE

Abu Dhabi - The 26-year-old has been working with Air India for three years.

As India undertakes the largest-ever repatriation, the special flight from Abu Dhabi to Kochi will be flown by an alumni of Sharjah Indian School.

Captain Rizvin Nasser, just 26 years old, is the co-pilot of Air India Express IX452, which he flew from Kochi to the UAE Capital and back with stranded passengers on Thursday evening.

It's a proud feeling for family members - father P.M. Nasser, mother Jeluna and siblings Dr Aayisha and Faheem.

"My son is operating the flight. I spoke to him this morning. He sought our blessings for the most important flight of his life. This is a big moment. We are all very happy. He just turned 26 last month," the father said as flight landed in Abu Dhabi - a moment which the family celebrated in their WhatsApp family group.

"Actually it was our wedding anniversary on May 6. And it was yesterday (Wednesday) that Rizvin opted to serve this special flight. It was a prized gift to us parents that our son is serving the country at such a crucial time."

Rizvin: From the cradle to the frontline

Nasser is overcome with emotions as he recollects how Rizvin always dreamt of being a pilot.

"While my other two kids wanted to be doctors, Rizvin wanted to fly. As a kid if given an option to pick a toy car or plane, he will always pick the latter. He was interested in the aviation industry and the pilot job was his childhood dream. It may have started with our air travels when as an infant he would be placed in a cradle. As he was a newborn we would avail front seat in plane. When he grew up, he became curious about what was happening behind those close doors of the cockpit. And as a 10-year-old he convinced an air hostess to have a peek inside the cockpit. This is a really proud moment to have Rizvin lead Indian campaign from his cockpit."

His dream started from his school days

For Rizvin, the journey started from his days at Sharjah Indian School.

"Since school days, he was always interested in humanitarian activities. We are middle-class family and all children are grounded. All my children studied at same school. We are here in the UAE for close to 30 years now."

Rizvin will then completed his BSc degree in aviation from the Mumbai University, got a commercial pilot licence from Florida, 737-Boeing type rating licence from Jordan and finally training to operate a commercial flight. "He passed the exam to join as co-pilot with Air India. He is working there for the past three years. He has clocked 5,000 hours and once he completes 10,000 hours he will become a flight captain. Let this special flight be a springboard to achieve that feat," said Nasser, who is also a member of Sharjah Indian Association managing committee.

Community hails Sharjah boy

Members of the community are also elated at the achievement of one of their own.

"I was president of Indian Association Sharjah for 13 years and have presented lots of prizes to him. He is a very talented boy. This is a proud moment for everyone. Nasser is our association member too," said Y.A. Rahim.