Zafar Masud's ‘Seat 1C' inspires a journey of purpose and resilience

Khaleej Times

2 days ago

Zafar Masud, a miraculous survivor of a plane crash, recently visited Dubai for the book launch of his memoir, Seat 1C: A Survivor's Tale of Hope, Resilience and Renewal. The book launch was warmly received in the UAE, where Masud's narrative left audiences in awe of fate. Book readings were held in various cities, including Dubai, Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Though Seat 1C appeals to all age groups, it is written particularly for the younger generation about to enter the real world and for individuals in positions of influence who shape institutions.
The lessons from the crash and the reflections in the book are highly relevant to anyone in decision-making capacities, as they address accountability, humility, and the consequences of complacency.
'Recalling the details of the day was not easy, as it was not just about the memory of the ill-fated crash. It was about revisiting the emotions, the uncertainty, and the awareness of what happened to me and some two hundred passengers on that day. The process of writing forced me to understand the event beyond just my own experience; it helped me to think about how people process shock, survival, and recovery,' Masud shares.
Writing about his miraculous survival, Masud's writing became a source of detachment, stepping back to reflect, not just react, and in doing so, Seat 1C became more a narration of what we take away from life's difficult situations, rather than a narration of the crash itself.
There were a few reasons that motivated Masud to write the book. He felt a great sense of responsibility to keep his own life lessons alive through his book.
He felt it was not just enough for the news of the crash to make headlines for a few days and weeks and then disappear. He wanted to touch the heart of the matter, where survival becomes difficult, and life teaches one to survive against all odds.
'I have always believed that life's difficult moments, however painful they may be, by design of nature, offer greater clarity about life,' he says.
The incident brought to light an important reminder that, at the end, no matter who we are in terms of our career or where we are in the realm of our social ladder, we are a 'human first'. By writing Seat 1C, Masud draws our attention to the true meaning of life in its vast compass and frailty.
As Masud's life was spared, he spent endless hours thinking about the reasons behind his survival.
Why had God spared his life was a question that consumed him for several months. However, there was a shift in his questioning as he moved from 'Why me?' to 'What can I do with this life that I was spared?' This forced Masud to rethink life and what he was meant to do in the world.
'I realised survival comes with a duty, to make your life more meaningful, to impact others positively, and not take time for granted. It changed my mindset completely, and that shift has stayed with me every day since,' he reflects.
The primary purpose of writing this book for Masud was to move beyond a personal account of survival and instead offer a broader reflection on the state of societies and institutions, both in his country and elsewhere. Though the book revolves around the plane crash, the message in the book is much larger. It's about understanding how attitude, especially arrogance and complacency, can contribute to systemic failures, whether in aviation, governance, or any sector. At the same time, the book highlights the often-forgotten concept of the fundamental decency and resilience of ordinary people.
'I learnt the fundamental decency and resilience of ordinary people. I experienced that first-hand, through strangers who risked their lives to save me. The book invites readers to think about the contrasts in our society between the hubris of institutions and the quiet strength of the masses,' Masud explains.
Masud's own experience made him rethink his life. When one faces death so closely, it for sure changes one's own perspective on life.
It took Masud three years to write the book, and during these years, he went through many emotions of despair and helplessness he felt on the ill-fated day, and the fact that he survived in a calamity all transpired in a book that unfolds many lessons we forget in our busy days.
An avid reader himself, Masud follows a career in banking. However, after the incident of PK8303, Masud has found a new meaning in life.
'At its core, the book is a call to introspection, for individuals to remain humble. The central theme of the book revolves around being a satisfied man with no regrets when they are leaving the world,' he says.