Maa Markama (Junior) College

Maa Markama (Junior) College is located in Bissamcuttack, which is a quiet spot in the Rayagada district. If you’re looking for us, we’re right there in the 765019 area. It’s a rural place, so things move a little slower than they do in the big cities. We don’t have high-rise buildings or air-conditioned hallways. It’s a junior college that serves the local families who live nearby. Most of the students walk to get here, or maybe they ride a bicycle if they live a few kilometers away. The building has been painted a few times, but the weather in Odisha can be tough on the walls. We have a small courtyard where everyone gathers during the break times. You can hear the sounds of the town in the background—goats, the occasional tractor, and people talking in the market. We don't have a lot of bells and whistles. The classrooms have wooden desks that have seen a lot of use over the years. Our staff are mostly people from this region who wanted to stay close to home. We don't try to be anything we aren't. It’s just a place for teenagers to finish their junior college years before they head off to whatever is next. Sometimes the power goes out, and we just open the windows wider to let the breeze in. It’s a simple life here, but it’s our life and we are happy with it.