Shree Sankarlal S. Vani Sarshavati Mandir High School

Out in Mahi Itadi, the air feels a bit different than it does in the bigger cities. This part of Kheda is mostly quiet, and our school fits right into that landscape. Shree Sankarlal S. Vani Sarshavati Mandir High School has been here through many seasons. We see the fields change color outside our windows as the months go by. The building is a long, low structure that spreads out across the ground. We have a big open space in the front where people gather in the mornings. It’s not a fancy place with marble floors; it’s just plain cement and brick. The stairs are worn down in the middle from years of feet going up and down. We keep a few water pots in the shade to stay cool during the summer. Most of us who work here come from the nearby villages, so we all know the local news and who is doing what. We don't have a big budget for decorations, so the walls are mostly bare except for a few old maps or calendars. It’s a very practical kind of place. We don't make big promises or use complicated words to describe what we do. We just open the doors every morning and make sure everything is in its place. When the rainy season hits, we have to watch out for leaks in the roof, but we manage. It’s just how things are in this part of Kheda.