Against all odds, the youth of the hills are making remarkable strides in various fields, from civil service to the army, showcasing their dedication and hard work. Today, we shine a spotlight on Prashant from Chamoli district, who, at the young age of 19, has achieved the prestigious position of an army officer through self-study via YouTube. Prashant's mother, Shakuntala Devi, works as a guard at AIIMS Rishikesh, while his father, JP Bhatt, is employed in the PRO department of AIIMS Rishikesh.

Although originally hailing from Kund Dungra, Swarka Patti Kapiri, Post Office Nauli, Tehsil Karnaprayag of Chamoli district, Prashant's family moved to Rishikesh years ago in search of better opportunities. Despite the challenges, Prashant has secured the remarkable 303rd rank in the NDA and has now realized his dream of serving in the army.

Speaking over the phone with Local 18, Prashant shared that this success came after his fourth attempt. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted to facing setbacks in his previous three attempts but learned from his mistakes and persevered. Prashant revealed that he commenced his NDA preparations during his 12th grade, focusing on strengthening his English and social studies, the subjects where he identified weaknesses.

Prashant's journey underscores the power of self-study. While he initially received coaching for a few months, he later transitioned to self-study, relying on resources available on YouTube from the comfort of his home. With his success, Prashant is now gearing up to undergo training at Khadakwasla, Pune, followed by a year of training at Dehradun IMA, marking the next chapter in his inspiring journey.