Dubai (Commonwealth Union)_ Nishad from Kerala has made history by becoming the first Indian train captain for Etihad Rail, the UAE’s ambitious new railway network. At just 29, his achievement is the culmination of a long journey of hard work, determination and years of taking on different jobs to build a better future in the Emirates. Originally from Alappuzha in Kerala, Nishad moved to the UAE in 2014 in search of better opportunities. Like many expatriates starting a new life abroad, he accepted any work he could find. Over the years, he worked as a cashier, sold perfumes, prepared hot dog sandwiches and handled delivery jobs, doing whatever it took to support himself while chasing bigger goals.
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Nishad’s career took a new direction in 2017 when he secured his first railway job with the Palm Jumeirah Monorail. That opportunity opened the door to a career in the rail industry. He later worked with the Dubai Tram, Dubai Metro and Zayed International Airport, gaining valuable experience along the way. But the road to success was not smooth. Nishad had applied to join Etihad Rail in 2020 but a minor error in his email address meant his application had failed to go through. Rather than give up, he reapplied in 2022. This time, he successfully cleared the recruitment process, including the required tests and interviews, and achieved the dream he had worked towards for years.
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Nishad’s appointment comes as Etihad Rail prepares to launch its long-awaited passenger service. He will be in the driver’s cabin when one of the first passenger trains begins its journey from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi. He joins Emirati train captains Ibrahim Al Hammadi and Sara Al Mazrouei, becoming the first Indian to earn the prestigious role. The new railway service is expected to transform travel across the UAE. The trains will run at speeds of up to 200 km/h, bringing the journey time between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi down to just one hour and 45 minutes. The network will be able to serve around 10 million passengers per year and will offer modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, charging ports, comfortable seating, luggage storage and extra legroom. The project also aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy by encouraging sustainable transportation and lower carbon emissions.
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Nishad’s success is also a proud milestone for his family. His father is a retired Army serviceman, while his elder brother, Rinshad, works with Etihad Rail as a freight train loco pilot. Nishad is married to Hiba Gafoor, and the couple has a young son named Khalifa Zayed. Nishad’s inspiring story of starting with odd jobs and creating history as the first Indian Train Captain for Etihad Rail proves that with perseverance and dedication, even the biggest dreams can be achieved.
