Debadrita Benerjee

Living in Dumdum means being used to the constant sound of the city, the trains, and the people moving about. My place is right here in 700055, and this is where I do my work. I’ve lived in this house for years, and eventually, I started using one of the rooms to help students with their studies. It’s a very simple setup with a couple of mats on the floor and a small table. I prefer it this way because it feels more personal and less like a cold office. Most of the children who come here live just a few streets away. We sit together in the afternoons, usually with a cup of tea for me and some water for them. We go through their school work slowly, making sure they understand the basics before moving on. Sometimes the street noise gets loud, or the neighbor’s dog starts barking, but we just keep going. I’ve always felt that learning should happen in a place where you feel comfortable. There are no big signs outside or colorful posters. People find out about me through word of mouth, which is how things usually work in our part of Kolkata. It’s a quiet life, spent mostly with books and helping the next generation get through their school years. I don’t ask for much, just a bit of focus.