Anny Divya is a pilot and by all accounts she does it like a boss! She made the world sit up and take notice by becoming the youngest commander woman in the world to fly a Boeing 777 as captain. This is her story and the story about how she overcame hurdles to reach where she is today:
From a Fauji (army) background, Anny Divya was born in Pathankot. Her parents always encouraged her to follow her dreams and never asked her to pursue a career of their own choice. Anny gives her parents and teachers thanks for what she is today.
Her relatives apart from her immediate family were against the idea of her becoming a pilot. However, she did not let this discourage her and enrolled with the flying school Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi, at just 17 years of age.
Initially her father took a loan to finance her training. However, she worked hard to achieve a scholarship and completed her training at age 19.
She was ragged in college from day one. Her tenuous command of the English language also meant a lot of jeering and mockery. It hurt but she did not let this deter her. Anny Divya joined Air India when she was just 19. She was sent to Spain for training when she got to fly the Boeing 737.
It was in London, receiving advanced training that she got a chance to fly the Boeing 777, which is the longest-range aircraft and the largest twin jet in the world.
Described by her instructors as skilled and diligent, Anny Divya became the youngest woman in the world to captain a Boeing 777. Alongside her job as a pilot, she also worked to get a degree in BSC Aviation, in law and also learnt classical keyboard! Her journey is an inspiration to thousands of little girls from modest backgrounds with dreams of flying….may all those dreams come true!
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