From Classroom to Certification: Conducting Exams in Varanasi

Varanasi was the second stop in my five part series, and it immediately set itself apart from the rest of the journey. While the other visits involved a single exam, this week was an absolute whirlwind. I was stepping into two separate institutes, on two different dates, to meet two completely distinct groups of students. It was an intense schedule, but the unique energy of the city made every single moment unforgettable.

The Varanasi center operates through two separate partnerships. Subham Computer Institute, led by Shubham Gupta, was up first. I arrived in the city on the 13th, a day ahead of the exam, and Shubham sir warmly welcomed me. Since everything was already perfectly prepared for the next day, we had the afternoon to ourselves, and he took me to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. I have been there several times before, but it is the kind of place that grounds you and offers profound peace, no matter how often you visit.

Later that evening, after being dropped back at my hotel near the Ganga Ghats, I wandered down to witness the daily Ganga Aarti. The crowds were massive. While taking it all in, I noticed small boats taking people out for round trips along the river, and I booked one on a whim. For a couple of hours, the boat drifted quietly between the different Ghats, allowing me to watch the breathtaking Aarti ceremony directly from the water. Seeing the fire and hearing the chants echo across the river offered a deeply moving perspective I had never experienced from the crowded banks. It was a completely unplanned evening that easily turned into one of the most magical parts of the entire trip.

The next morning, on the 14th, I arrived early for the first exam. I was genuinely thrilled to finally meet this batch in person. As we were settling in before the official start time, one of the students walked up and handed me a small gift. She looked at me and simply said, “It is for you because you taught very well.” I was completely caught off guard. It was the very first gift I had ever received as a teacher. That small, heartfelt gesture carried so much weight and reminded me exactly why I started this entire journey.

Riding that wave of positivity, we ran the exam, graded the answer sheets together, and handed out the passing certificates that exact same day. There was no waiting around, just immediate and shared joy.

Two days later, on the 16th, it was time for round two at Shree D.R Computer Institute, led by Desh Raj. We followed the exact same rhythm here. We conducted the exam, checked the sheets, and held the certificate ceremony right then and there for everyone who passed.

Between both institutes, 19 of the 40 registered students walked away certified. Seeing the immense pride on their faces as they held those certificates made the packed week entirely worth it.

Here are some glimpse of our certificate ceremony from both the institutes.

Managing two institutes in one week meant I had far less downtime than at most of the other stops. Yet, that single, peaceful evening watching the Ganga Aarti from the water more than made up for the exhaustion. Two states down, three to go. The journey was only getting better.