Atharva Vidyalaya

If you drive down Chani Road in Vadodara, you’ll probably see our gate tucked between the shops and houses. It’s a busy part of the city, so there’s always the sound of rickshaws and motorbikes in the background. The school isn't very large, but we make the most of the space we have. We’ve got a small area where the kids play, though it’s mostly concrete rather than grass. Inside, the hallways are narrow and can get a bit crowded when classes change. We try to keep things tidy, but with so many students, there’s always a stray lunchbox or a lost sweater somewhere. The teachers here are local people who know the city well. They don't use a lot of complicated words; they just talk to the kids like regular people. We have a lot of middle-class families sending their children here, so there is a lot of focus on doing well in the exams. Sometimes the water pump acts up and we have to call the plumber from across the street to fix it. It’s that kind of place where things are a bit makeshift but they work. We don't have a big fancy entrance or a lobby with trophies. It’s just a series of rooms where learning happens every day. It’s a bit worn out around the edges, but it has a good heart. Most of the staff has been here for years and we know the students by name.