When Life Glitched, She Rebooted – The Fearless Journey of Themngaihoi from Manipur

From the misty hills of New Moreh in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, comes a story that feels like a quiet revolution.
Meet Themngaihoi Khongsai, or as her friends lovingly call her — Diana.
She isn’t a tech geek or a typical “topper” story. She’s a dreamer, a writer at heart, and a girl who dared to choose herself in a world that told her who she should be.

The Weight of Expectations

Born into a hardworking family of nine, Diana grew up surrounded by love, laughter, and countless responsibilities. Her father, Sholenlal Khongsai, a pig farmer, and her mother, a homemaker who sold popsicles, worked tirelessly to keep the family afloat.

As the eldest daughter, Diana was always the one expected to set an example.
“I was the smartest among my sisters,” she shares, “and my father pinned all his hopes on me. He dreamed that I’d one day crack the UPSC and become a civil servant.”

But Diana had a secret — she didn’t want to chase someone else’s dream.
She wanted to write stories. To breathe. To live freely.

Dreams vs. Duty – The Silent Battle

When Diana confessed that she wanted to be a writer, her world shook. Her father’s disappointment was heavy — and so were the years that followed.
“Three years of beef,” she says with a wry smile. “Three years of silence, guilt, and pressure.”

Then one day, destiny knocked in the form of a WhatsApp message.
Her father came across an ad about a BCA program by Navgurukul, shared by Pu Hejang Singson. It was a last flicker of hope for him… and for Diana, it was something even bigger — a chance to escape.

“I didn’t join for coding,” she says honestly. “I joined for freedom.”

A New Chapter Begins

At first, the world of coding felt alien — rows of syntax, programs, and logic gates. But beneath the confusion, Diana found something she hadn’t felt in years — peace.
“I might not love programming,” she laughs, “but I love what it gave me — a new environment, new friends, and a chance to rebuild myself.”

Every line of code became a metaphor — a rewrite, a restart.
She was no longer running from her fears. She was learning how to reprogram her life.

Finding Calm at Eternal University

Now studying at Eternal University (EU) under the Navgurukul BCA program, Diana has discovered what peace truly feels like.
“It’s cold here compared to home,” she says, “but I love it. The campus is calm, the air feels lighter. I can finally breathe without the weight of expectations.”

The food? “Still adapting,” she laughs. “But I love the sweets they serve!”

Freedom – Her Favorite Subject

For Diana, this journey isn’t about just earning a degree — it’s about learning who she is.
She may have disappointed expectations, but she gained something priceless — herself.

Today, she codes not to become an engineer, but to prove something far greater:
That a girl from a small town in Manipur can defy expectations, heal through learning, and build her own version of success.

Her Message to Every Girl with a Heavy Heart

“To every daughter who feels trapped under pressure — I want to say, don’t stop dreaming. Even if your path looks different, take it. Sometimes, freedom is the first step toward finding your real self.”