By Nazir Ganaie/ Dabirah Hassan
BORN in the quiet village of Sarnal in Anantnag, Dr. Sohail Nasti’s remarkable journey spans continents and professions. As Kashmir’s first research scientist in rheumatology, a rescue pilot, a cricketer and a global philanthropist, he has redefined what it means to live a life of purpose. In this insightful interview with Kashmir Observer, Dr. Nasti reflects on his diverse career, his efforts to revolutionize healthcare in Kashmir, and his mission to empower the next generation while leaving an enduring legacy of hope and progress.
KO: Welcome to Kashmir! It was a pleasure checking out your profile and seeing all the amazing hats you wear.
Dr. Sohail: Thank you for inviting me to Kashmir Observer. I am very glad to be a part of this world that people call ‘paradise on earth’. You can see the artistry of Allah here, and truly, this is paradise on earth.
KO: You have been brought up in a small village in Sarnal, Anantnag. Tell us about your journey from your native village to Srinagar and beyond?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: I did my schooling at Hanafia School in Anantnag. Alhamdulillah, I had a good childhood. However, due to my naughtiness, I was shifted to a higher secondary school, where I completed my education before joining SKIMS Medical College. I was inclined towards medical science, and my parents too wanted to see me as a doctor. Ultimately, it was my fate that made me one. I studied at SKIMS Medical College and completed my internship in 2000. I was selected through the Public Service Commission and got my first posting in 2001.
KO: But why did you leave the government job?
I believe it’s not a person who chooses his path; it’s the blessings of our creator. I’m thankful for being endowed with certain qualities. I consider myself an innovative person—I don’t like staying at one place for too long. Coming from a family of 42 doctors, I felt I was getting lost in the crowd and wanted to do something different. While working with the government, I soon realized that I was a misfit in the system, as I was suspended multiple times during that period. In those days of lawlessness some people with influence would stop you in the corridor and demand prescription on cigarette covers. I would not obey. I was not satisfied with the kind of work I was doing. I believe Kashmir has immense talent, but the system pushes you down.
After completing a one-year house job in radiodiagnosis, I decided to leave Kashmir and qualified for exams abroad. My research on post-trauma stress-related inflammatory bone diseases took me to the University of Chicago and American College of Rheumatology. From there I traveled to various troubled places, including Afghanistan, and Syria, and worked with different militaries. Their dedication and discipline fascinated me and gave me new impetus to move beyond mere sitting at clinics and prescribing medicine to patients.
As adventure is perhaps in my DNA, I took a new plunge and qualified for civil aviation exams and became a rescue pilot. This career shift shocked my parents, as many members of our family—as I said around 40 of them—are doctors. I became the “odd one out.” But I realized it’s essential to pursue your passion.
Subsequently, I joined the Disaster Response Unit in the UK, US and a few more countries and served for many years. I was part of rescue missions in Japan, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
KO: So, were you the first Rheumatologist from Kashmir?
Dr. Sohail: No, I was the first research Scientist in Rheumatology from Kashmir.
KO: From doing an MBBS to specializing in a specific field, and then deciding to switch gear. Surely, there were people who supported you, and perhaps others who didn’t?
Dr. Sohail: Absolutely. My teachers were instrumental, but above all, my mother was a major influence. She would always tell me: “Be someone the world will remember. Never hide behind brands or designer things because they don’t define who you are. True value comes from within.” I still recall a moment in Dubai. I was inside a swimming pool and someone recognized me in that state saying, “Oh, you’re Captain Sohail.” That’s when my mother’s words resonated with me: “If you’ve built yourself into something of substance, that’s your brand not your expensive clothes.”
KO: Any anecdotes from your young age which made you take radical decisions?
Yes. I was once heading home from college in Srinagar and sought a lift from a rich relative (a well respected doctor) who snubbed me saying ‘get used to traveling in a bus’. Alhamdulillah I now own a fleet of helicopters in the UK and several expensive cars. But I remain true to my conscience and in submission to my creator.
KO: So you fly planes now. How do you feel up there?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: When we qualify as pilots, we have to fly solo. During my first solo flight, I flew at an altitude of 5,000 to 10,000 feet over London. Seeing the entire city from above made me feel so small and insignificant. I thought to myself, “If I can see everything from here, how much more can the Creator see?” That experience instilled in me a deep sense of humility and reinforced my belief in the oneness of Allah. It also taught me that no matter how high you soar, you must eventually return to the ground. Humility is essential; ego suits only the Almighty.
KO: You are a medical doctor, turned rescue pilot, a renowned philanthropist and also a musician. Amazing feat. You also were joined by distinguished Pakistani classical singer Naseebo Lal in one of your Sufi renditions.Which profession is closest to your heart? Is it medicine, being a rescue pilot, acting, or singing? Because your critics often say, “Sohail Nasti wants to be everything.” Which one defines you the most?
Dr. Sohail: Passion is what truly defines a person, whether it’s in medicine, flying, or playing cricket. Alhamdulillah, with Allah’s blessings, I’ve proven wrong the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I’m a professionally qualified doctor, a certified pilot, and I’ve played first-class cricket representing J&K in Ranji. Acting wasn’t something I was born into, but one of my films was shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival. As for singing, I collaborated with the legendary singer Naseebo Lal for my first song.
KO: You have a rank of captain. Could you tell us something about your association with various militaries?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: There are several paths one can take in aviation, but I was drawn to rescue missions. I was also interested in working in narcotics control. During my time in Haiti, I collaborated with the American Marines as a border control specialist. Displacement often leads to increased activity by drug mafias, and I was able to counter this effectively.
Drug mafias destroy communities and youth, so I pledged to work against them, especially in border regions. I believe one should lead a challenging and meaningful life.
Later I joined various departments in the UK to deliver my professional skills which I gained working across the world. Later I was trained as a pilot, which was like the cherry on top. I feel fortunate to have flown various aircraft, including the Cessna, R22, R44 , R66, LongRanger,Puma and AS350 Squirrel.
While working with the United Nations in Syria, our convoy was ambushed iN Aleppo. My driver died in my lap and I sustained serious injuries. I was in a coma for two months. Alhamdulillah, I recovered. I believe Allah has given me a second chance in this world and since then, I’ve taken life very seriously. I want to make the most of my time and leave a meaningful legacy, living boldly and purposefully.
KO: Having spent significant time in the West and other countries, how does it feel to return to Kashmir? What is the biggest difference you see in the medical profession and system?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: In the UK, doctors compete professionally to achieve excellence, whereas in Kashmir, the competition seems more focused on financial gain. I must apologize to my colleagues, as I am also part of the medical fraternity here, but I feel we are not working together to set the system right.
For example, Kashmir is perhaps the only place in the world where cesarean deliveries outnumber natural births. This unnatural trend raises concerns about the future stability of our community. Labor pain is part of the natural process, and by bypassing it, we are challenging the will of God. The proliferation of private nursing homes has created a nexus that promotes cesareans, and I believe people should not compromise on this. Mothers should provide the best foundation for their children through natural processes.
KO: Cesarean deliveries are common in Kashmir. You mentioned it is rare in the UK. How does the government there handle this, and tell us something about “bathtub deliveries”?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: In the UK, pregnant women are encouraged to lead active lives and maintain healthy diets. I’ve seen women going to the gym during pregnancy. In Kashmir, however, it’s the opposite—expecting mothers are told to rest completely.
In 2019, Alhamdulillah, I was blessed with twins. In the UK, families are encouraged to be present during childbirth. The labor rooms there are more comfortable than five-star hotels in India. Mothers are advised to relax in labor baths. Interestingly husbands are encouraged to be by the side of their wives in labour. It’s a natural and beautiful experience.
In contrast, I’ve witnessed horrifying practices in Kashmir. At one hospital, the nurses refused to hand over a newborn to the mother, saying, “We need chai” (a bribe). Such cruelty, where a child is withheld for money, is appalling. We need to address these issues collectively as a community.
KO: You referred to labor rooms in Kashmir hospitals negatively. Given the patient rush in government hospitals, don’t you think there’s a nexus forcing people toward private hospitals for cesarean deliveries?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: It’s true that government hospitals are overwhelmed, but blaming the government entirely is not fair. We need to change our attitudes. In the UK, people volunteer to clean hospitals, but here, we litter them.
Moreover, private hospitals exploit patients by directing them away from government facilities. Government hospitals have become dens of bribery. We must work together to address these issues instead of passing the blame.
KO: Tell us about your philanthropy. What led to the founding of Mother Helpage?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: Mother Helpage was born out of a personal loss—my mother passed away in 1994. At that time, I was playing cricket and idolized Imran Khan, who also lost his mother and started his charity. I found solace in following a similar path. While in medical college, I began doing charity work, partly to honor my mother and partly to spend my time productively. Today, Mother Helpage operates in over 35 countries.
KO: There are around 12,000 NGOs registered in Kashmir, some of which have been deregistered. How is Mother Helpage different from others?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: First of all, you need a clear vision and mission. Charity should make a real impact. For instance, we have installed over 9,000 water wells in India and abroad. We could boast about providing a specific number of liters of water daily, but for me, that’s not success. True impact lies in reducing diseases through such initiatives.
Whatever we do, it must be in collaboration with the government. Mother Helpage has partnered with the United Nations for many years. While some charities faced discrepancies, leading to government bans that affected others, Alhamdulillah, everything is getting back on track.
KO: What kind of work does Mother Helpage focus on?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: Our work is region-specific and based on the needs of the people. In Africa, we tackle one set of problems, while in Kashmir, we address entirely different issues. From 2025 onwards, we aim to make Mother Helpage fully sustainable. We’re planning to establish skill centers, partner with startups, and provide stability through employment and skills.
For instance, if we help someone build a well, we’ll ensure they also develop a kitchen garden nearby, enabling them to grow their own food rather than relying on handouts.
KO: You’ve initiated skill development projects. Could you elaborate on those?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: We’ve opened skill development centers and trained around 500 girls so far. Our goal is to provide dignified livelihoods and make them stakeholders in their ventures. By leveraging our contacts in over 50 countries, we aim to revive Kashmiri culture and handicrafts and give it a global market.
KO: You were felicitated by an organization associated with Imran Khan. When did that happen, and what were the reactions?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: I was awarded by Imran Khan before he entered politics. At that time, we were both working for our mothers. Imran told me it was easier for him as he was a World Cup winner and a global brand. He appreciated my journey, acknowledging that I came from a small place without a big name. He gave me the Shaukat Khanum International Award, which was a great honor.
KO: Recently, Kashmir Observer reported a significant rise in cancer patients. Don’t you think there’s a need for an organization to support these patients financially? Should you consider partnering with SKIMS to assist cancer patients?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: I think the government needs to step in here. While people in Kashmir donate generously online, there’s a lack of transparency, leading to wastage of funds. The government should create a mechanism where donations go into official accounts, ensuring the money benefits patients directly. For example, if a patient receives donations of ₹70 lakh but passes away, the remaining money often stays with the family instead of being returned. Transparency is crucial. The government could also start schemes offering discounts to cancer patients based on the stage of their illness.
KO: People in Kashmir often self-prescribe medicines. Your thoughts?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: Self-medication is a form of addiction. When some of my relatives visit UK from Kashmir, their briefcases often contain more medicines than clothes. This is a very bad habit in Kashmir. You don’t see such rampant use of medicines in other parts of the world. Even if you cross the Banihal Tunnel, you won’t find as many medical stores as in Kashmir. Buying a pain killer in the UK is like getting a driving licence in Kashmir.
KO: You’ve produced popular music videos and have worked in films. Do you think Kashmir needs its own film industry?
Dr. Sohail Nasti: I’ve only watched one Kashmiri film, Habba Khatoon in my entire life. However, I believe Kashmir is brimming with talent. We need our own film industry to tell our stories and also to provide a platform for our younger generation to showcase their talent.
What would you tell people back home in Kashmir?
Dr Sohail Nasti: In our journey to rebuild, develop, and uplift Kashmir, remember that each small step counts. Whether you’re involved in agriculture, technology, education, or social services, your contributions are vital. It’s time to break free from the constraints of the past and build a new narrative for Kashmir—one of unity, resilience, and progress.
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