Sadbhavna College

Sikandra is a busy part of Agra, but Parbha Enclave where we are located is a bit tucked away. House No.1 is easy enough to find once you enter the enclave. The building looks like it might have been a large residence once, or it was just built to blend in with the neighborhood. It has a domestic feel to it. There’s a small gate and a patch of ground where a few trees provide some shade. Inside, the rooms have been turned into classrooms and offices. We use a lot of wooden partitions to create space. The walls are painted a simple cream color. Being in a residential area means we have to be a bit careful about the noise, but the students are generally quiet enough. Agra’s dust finds its way onto the windowsills every day, so there is a lot of dusting to do. The office has a few old computers and shelves packed with student records. We sit on plastic chairs mostly. It’s not a grand institution with pillars and arches, just a practical place for people to come and learn. You can hear the sounds of the neighborhood—dogs barking or a delivery van passing by—while the classes are going on. It feels very grounded and local, which is exactly how the staff likes it. We spend our mornings checking the registers and our afternoons dealing with the usual administrative tasks.