Veerlorik Intermediate College

Tekari is a quiet enough part of Varanasi, at least compared to the main ghats and the center of the city. Our college is tucked away here, and most of the people who come by are from the nearby neighborhoods or the villages just a bit further out. It’s an intermediate college, so we see a lot of teenagers who are just trying to figure out what they want to do next. The building is simple, with plain concrete and wide windows that we keep open to let the breeze in, though in the middle of May, it’s mostly just hot air. We have a big open space where the students gather before the first bell. There’s no big corporate vibe here. Most of the teachers have been around for a long time and know the families of the students. You’ll see cycles parked in every available corner because that’s how most of the kids get around. The 221101 area is home to us. Sometimes the power goes out and we just have to sit and wait it out, chatting in the corridors until the fans start spinning again. It’s a very local way of doing things. We don't try to be anything we aren't. It’s just Veerlorik, a place where people show up, do their lessons, and go home when the sun starts to set over Tekari. The daily rhythm is what keeps us going through the school year and we wouldn't have it any other way.