Srinagar, Sept. 19 -- Sometimes, life tests us in ways we never expect-not to break us, but to reveal the strength we carry within. What began as a simple journey to participate in a sports tournament soon turned into one of the most challenging and unforgettable experiences of my life.

In 2025, I had the honour of representing my school in a table tennis competition. After performing well at the initial level, I earned the opportunity to compete at the district level. The tournament was initially scheduled to be held in Shopian, but destiny had something different in store for me. A few days later, my father received an official call informing us that I had been selected for a tournament in Jammu. The news filled me with excitement, but...