Hey, I am Prajwal Thapa. I just turned 25 a few days ago. I am a journalist by profession, and I keep on writing articles and scripts. You must have gone through my articles on this website, udayemaan.com. I am here to share a short story that was a turning point in my life. I was born and raised in an army family. My father served in the Indian Armed Forces for over 25 years, and my mother raised us well . Interestingly both of my Grandfather’s were in Army too.

We were a family of seven. I have three older sisters and one younger brother. Since childhood, I have always been active in every extracurricular activity that was organized at my school. I was always active, from sports to the annual function. Being raised in an army background has always taught me discipline, punctuality, and how to be physically and mentally fit.

I attended Army schools in India for my education. While growing up, we were always asked what we wanted to be in the future. Sometimes I said I wanted to become a doctor, sometimes a scientist, sometimes a singer, sometimes a football player. But what fascinated me was the charming uniform and shining medals that my father used to wear every day. So when I turned a bit older, I decided to join the Army and continue the legacy of my grandfather and father. I was quite active in sports and was physically fit. My father used to be posted in different parts of India every three years, and hence we would change our school every three years. That made us adapt to a new environment, make new friends, and face new challenges.

It was in the summer of 2012 when we shifted to the Army Cantonment of the Capital of India, New Delhi, from Binnaguri (part of West Bengal). As I mentioned before, New place, New environment, New challenges, New friends, and a New school. I continued 9th grade at Army School Shankar Vihar in New Delhi. Practicals are now part of today’s education, and they enhance the skills of students. In the middle of the tenth class we all were assigned the task of performing a radio show in Hindi subject practical. Practical has to be performed in groups, so me and some of my friends formed one. I was told to be a radio jockey for our practical radio program. We all performed, but my performance was highlighted because everyone, including my teacher, was impressed with it. Everyone who noticed my talent advised me to pursue a career in journalism.

In 2016, when I completed my higher education, it was time to decide whether to go ahead with my army career or to join journalism. I was called up for the interview by one of the mass communication colleges. I cleared it and joined Mass Communication College. Years and years of dedication and experience taught me that I chose the best career. As I have always followed, “Do what you love; love what you do.” Within my journalism career, there were so many memorable moments, but out of them, the most memorable one was when I was rewarded with the second-best RJ award during the final year of my college . It was memorable because I was receiving it from the popular radio jockey and my favorite RJ, Naved. It was in Tenth Grade that was a “Turning Point of My Life”

After being a part of Indian journalism, I am now a part of Nepali journalism, and hence there will be a turning point in everyone’s lives.

Prajwal Thapa, Tilottama-01, Shankarnagar “Banwatika” Rupandehi