Mahaveer Bal Mandir Sr. Sec. School

Lohegaon has changed quite a bit over the years, but Mahaveer Bal Mandir is still tucked away here in this corner of Pune. It’s a senior secondary place, so the students are a bit older and taller than they used to be when they first started. The school day has a rhythm that everyone just knows. We open up early, sweep the front area, and get ready for the day. Being in the 411047 zip code area means we get a lot of local families from the surrounding residential blocks. There’s a lot of walking back and forth. The building itself is pretty plain, nothing too flashy to look at from the outside. Inside, it’s mostly classrooms filled with old wooden benches and charts pinned to the walls. We don't spend much time worrying about the decor. It’s more about getting the classes done and making sure the kids have their notebooks ready. During the break, the noise level goes up as everyone heads out for a bit of air. You can hear the hum of the city in the background, but the school has its own feeling. Sometimes the power goes out and we just open the windows wider to let the breeze in. It’s a practical place for practical learning. We've seen a lot of classes come and go through these doors, and the floorboards show the wear and tear of all those feet. There is always a bit of dust on the shelves.