As we entered the campus, the first image that stayed with us was the principal seated outside on a desk in the veranda, calmly observing the school as it moved through its day. There was no sense of distance—only presence and accessibility. In conversation, she spoke about how learning at JNV is designed to go beyond closed classrooms, sharing examples such as sessions where students are shown Panchayat-related video clips and later interact with the local Sarpanch, helping them connect learning to real people and lived systems.
That idea was already visible around us. Two batches of students were engaged in open, outdoor classes, fully immersed in discussion. The space felt intentional, reinforcing the belief that learning here is not confined to walls, but shaped by engagement.
Students soon gathered for a session led by Mr. Anil Pradhan, who began with images of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. What they all shared, he explained, was belief, consistency, and curiosity. He then asked students to reflect on the advantages they already have—time, free resources, low risk, access, and energy. When asked whether they could see themselves becoming entrepreneurs or starting a business, the room grew thoughtful before a few hesitant hands began to rise. The session moved naturally into a thinking exercise. Students were given a set of questions—similar to a mini exam, but designed not to test memory, rather how deeply they could think. The questions encouraged reasoning, perspective, and reflection. The room grew quiet—not out of instruction, but focus.
After the exercise, students were given a short fifteen-minute break, while another batch received the presentation. The flow felt structured yet humane, allowing space to breathe without losing momentum.
Following the break, students gathered around the ToW (Tinker on Wheels) for a brief demonstration by the Young Tinker team. Curiosity quickly took over. Students asked sharp, thoughtful questions, engaging confidently with the team. Each question was met with patience and encouragement, reinforcing that inquiry was welcomed.
Throughout the day, it was the smaller details that revealed the deepest values. After meals, students cleaned their own plates, a daily practice that quietly builds responsibility and dignity of labour. Teachers from Avanti Fellows moved through the space attentively, asking about students who weren’t present, noticing absences, checking in with those around them. They didn’t just manage classrooms—they knew their students. Presence was noticed, and so was absence.
What stood out most was the visible passion of the Avanti Fellows faculty. They were composed, caring, and deeply invested, clearly doing the work because they believed in it. Their warmth extended beyond classrooms—hospitality was not performative, but genuine. Discipline was consistent and shared—no teacher, including the principal, stays outside the campus, reinforcing availability, accountability, and collective responsibility.
The visit concluded with a simple lunch in the dining area, where the Young Tinker team was warmly hosted before it was time to say goodbye. There were no formal farewells—just easy conversations, smiles, and a feeling that the time had been well spent.
As we left JNV Cuttack, what stayed with us was not one activity, but how everything came together—open classrooms, thoughtful exposure, passionate teachers, responsible students, and present leadership.
Some campuses impress you with infrastructure.
Others stay with you because of their people.
JNV Cuttack reminded us that when discipline is paired with empathy, and structure with passion, learning becomes something students don’t just experience for a day—but carry forward with them.
