Growing up in the shadow of constant cross border shelling, Priyanka Choudhary a young girl from Kangwala village, located barely 2 kms from the international border in Samba district, is all set to join the prestigious club of 'flying officers' in the Indian Air Force.
Daughter of an ex-serviceman Ujagar Singh Choudhary, she too wanted to serve the Indian Army and don the olive greens but could not make it in the Indian Army.
As she was determined to join the belt force one of her close friends motivated her to try her luck in the Indian Air Force.
On August 18 when the final selection list of flying officers was released her name too figured in the list.
Speaking to reporters at her residence, Priyanka Choudhary said, "I was sleeping at home after returning from Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My sister came running in the room and broke the news of my selection. My close friend had informed her about my selection. Soon after confirming the news of my final selection I rushed inside my 'pooja room'. I wept there standing in front of the idols in the pooja room for about 10 minutes". "I was full of emotions and couldn't hold myself. Since my parents were away I waited for them and visited a nearby temple on a thanksgiving visit". "My prayers were finally answered", she added.
Sharing her journey, Priyanka told reporters, "I have covered a long distance before earning a place in the IAF selection list. Growing up in a village where girls were always put under the scanner, I can proudly say my parents stood behind me through my entire journey". Since our village is located close to the International border, we were used to frequent cross border mortar shelling. "These prevailing circumstances taught us many things at an early age.We learnt to survive". She said, i could not attend my interview due to Covid-19 pandemic. But when I received another call in the month of March 2021 I decided to attend at any cost. Despite peaking second coivd-19 wave i went to attend the AFSB interview in the first week of May 2021.
She said after my initial schooling in a local Convent school I studied in Army Public School,Samba up to class 12. I Graduated from a Govt Degree college in Jammu and later on joined the Physics department of Jammu University for my masters degree. "I was always active in extra curricular activities and also attended NCC camps during my college days".
"All my teachers and support group always motivated me to realise my childhood dream of serving the Indian armed forces". Her father Ujagar Singh Choudhary said, "my daughter has made us proud. It's a moment of joy.I am overwhelmed. I am receiving messages from several people and well wishers of the family". Singh said after she failed to join the Indian army last year I told her to keep faith in her abilities. "She has worked hard as a student and was dedicated towards realising her childhood dream. Now she has made it to the IAF and is going to be a flying officer. I am proud of her achievement".