#AP30/People. Timur Bandishoev: “Thank you for the friendship, for the experience, for the memories, and for the people!”

Timur Bandishoev, a familiar voice to loyal listeners and a former head of "Asia-Plus" radio's information service, shared reflections on his career, highlighting key moments and personal growth.

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Thank you for the friendship, for the experience, for the memories, and for the people!

Bandishoev's journalistic journey began during his university studies at the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting in Dushanbe. He started as an editor for the Russian service of the "Sadoi Dushanbe" radio channel. He recalls his mentor, Safargul Olimi, a legendary figure in Tajik radio, as someone who provided immense creative freedom, allowing him to choose interview topics and seek out compelling stories, thereby learning to "feel the profession."

His path eventually led him to "Asia-Plus." Initially, he visited the agency for an interview related to his radio program and learned about an initiative to train aspiring radio hosts for the planned launch of Dushanbe's first private radio station. Although the project was eventually put on hold, Bandishoev continued to have intermittent connections with "Asia-Plus," even working part-time at the news agency later on. However, he felt this role wasn't the professional direction he envisioned for himself.

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My mentor was the legend of Tajik radio broadcasting, Safargul Olimi. She gave us complete creative freedom: we chose topics for interviews and reports ourselves, searched for heroes, and learned to feel the profession.

Fate intervened when Bandishoev received a call offering him the position of heading the information service for the "Asia-Plus" radio station, which was finally preparing to launch. Despite having a stable job, he embraced the new, albeit uncertain, project. This decision marked the beginning of his six-year tenure at "Asia-Plus" radio in 2002. Beyond his professional life, this period proved pivotal personally, as it was at "Asia-Plus" that he reconnected with his future wife, Lola Kendzhaeva, whom he had met earlier while working at state radio. He encouraged her to join "Asia-Plus," and their shared professional journey evolved into a life partnership. Today, they have four children, making "Asia-Plus" a deeply significant part of his life and destiny.

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I chose the second path. Thus, in 2002, my six-year story at “Asia-Plus” radio began. It was here that an important event in my personal life occurred. I met my future wife, Lola Kendzhaeva, while still working at the state radio. Later, I was the one who suggested she join the “Asia-Plus” team. Working together, I gradually realized that the person next to me was someone I wanted to share my life with. Today we have four wonderful children. Therefore, for me, “Asia-Plus” is not just a radio station and not just a workplace. It is an important part of my life and my destiny.