India, Jan. 23 -- From splashing the waters in Kashmir while kayaking to receiving accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mann Ki Baat, life has seen a high tide for 20-year-old Mohsin Ali from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Now, the national-level kayaker will march down the Kartavya Path during the forthcoming Republic Day parade on January 26. "The call for invite came in November last year, but the feeling still hasn't quite settled in," he admits. "Jab mujhe phone aaya tha main bahut shock ho gaya yeh sunke ki Republic Day pe mujhe bulaya jaa raha hai," shares the young lad who has completed class XII, adding, "I've visited Delhi before but have never witnessed the Republic Day parade. Jo parade pehle TV par dekhte the woh ab aankhon ke samne dekhunga aur us march ka hissa bhi banunga. It's such a big honour." Growing up near the serene waters of the Dal Lake, this young fella found his calling in exploring its waters through his sport. "I was 10 or 11 years old when I first learnt kayaking. It started as a hobby, but then my family, as well as I, realised that I could do something big in it," he says, referring to his R-Day invite. The childhood hobby has since turned into a medal-winning journey. Mohsin has so far clinched 17 national-level medals, including a gold at the National Games in Goa in 2023 and another at the Khelo India Games in August 2025 in Srinagar. "I'm the eldest child in my house. My father is a carpenter, and my mother is a homemaker. Unke liye apne ladke ko Republic Day ki march mein dekhna bahut proud feeling hai," he shares with pride. For the D-day, the prep has to be exact, too! "I'm keeping it simple," says Mohsin, adding, "I'll arrive in Delhi on January 25, with my coach, guru Bilquis Mir... I'm a little nervous but have a lot of excitement as I don't know what to expect. The moment when I salute our President will stay with me for the rest of my life because humare sport ko bahut log nahi jaante India mein par ab bahut log janenge. Every time, I feel proud to represent this sport, but this time it's different."...