Keins College

Dhalapathisamudram is a name that takes a moment to say, and it’s a small spot in Tirunelveli where we are based. The landscape around here is quite open and can get very dry and hot. Our college building is a functional structure that stands out in the flat land. We have a courtyard where the wind sometimes blows the dust around in circles. Inside, the hallways are wide to let the air move through. The desks are simple, and the blackboards still show the ghosts of yesterday’s lessons. In the office, we have a few old fans that click while they spin. The staff spends a lot of time talking to parents who come in from the nearby villages. We don't use much fancy language here; we just talk about the schedules and the bus timings. Tirunelveli is known for its heat, so we try to get most things done before the afternoon sun becomes too much. The gate is usually propped open with a brick. It’s a quiet place for the most part, except when the students are heading out for the day. There’s a sense of routine that doesn't change much from year to year. We keep the registers updated and make sure the chalk supplies are full. It’s a very ordinary way to run a college, but it works for us and the people in the area.