Swami Vivekanand School

In Bhiwandi, things move fast and it’s always loud with the power looms and the traffic. Our school is tucked away in this part of Thane, and it’s where we spend our whole day. The morning starts with the sound of the gate opening and students dragging their bags inside. It’s a bit of a walk from the main bus stop, but everyone manages. We have three floors, and the stairs are always a bit crowded between periods. Sometimes the fans make a clicking noise that drives the teachers crazy, but we haven't gotten around to fixing all of them yet. There’s a small shop nearby where we get our samosas during the break, and that’s usually the highlight of the afternoon. We don't have a big fancy auditorium, so we just do everything in the main courtyard. It gets really hot in the afternoons, especially when the sun hits the concrete walls. We try to keep the windows open for a breeze, but then you hear all the noise from the street. It’s just a normal school where we try to get things done without making a big fuss. Some days are harder than others, especially when the rains hit Thane and the roads get flooded. But we still show up, open the doors, and wait for the students to arrive with their messy hair and heavy books. It is just life here in the suburbs.