An educator’s trials and triumphs

‘The College Uphill’, a recent book by retired professor Sandhya Naguendra Bhandare is a deeply personal account of the resilience of a woman who never gives up

ADITHI SHARMA | NT

For Sandhya Naguendra Bhandare, a retired professor, writing was a dream deferred—until her retirement in 2021, when she decided to give voice to a passion that had long simmered beneath the surface.

Following her first fiction book ‘Khote Nane’, written in Konkani and published in 2022, she has now released her second book, ‘The College Uphill’. In this work, Bhandare takes readers through a gripping and deeply personal account of the challenges and rewards of teaching English for BA and MA in an institution where both professional recognition and personal growth were often out of reach. The book marks the culmination of years of untold experiences, both within the classroom and the corridors of educational administration.

“I had always wanted to write. But during my teaching years, I didn’t want my passion for writing to interfere with my commitment to students and my profession,” she says. “Once I retired, though, I found myself ready. The material was already there in my mind; all I had to do was put it down on my computer.”

A window into educational struggles

Her professional life, spanning 43 years in the education sector, had been fraught with struggles that remained largely unsaid, even as she poured herself into her students and her teaching. ‘The College Uphill’, thus, is a cathartic release. It is a chance to document those struggles, which she had kept to herself for years, and give them voice through the fictional character of Moga Kuber, a passionate educator who faces systemic roadblocks in an institution where her contributions go largely unrecognised. At its heart, the book critiques the management of educational institutions and how lack of support for faculty development can negatively impact not only the staff but also the students they serve.

“I wanted to write a book about the realities of educational institutions,” Bhandare explains. “This book is dedicated to the administrators, faculty, and all those in the education field who sometimes fail to realise the importance of nurturing their own teachers and staff. Without growth opportunities, how can the institution truly thrive? Moga is a symbol of that struggle—a dedicated teacher whose growth was stifled for over two decades.”

One of the most poignant aspects of the book is the portrayal of Moga’s relentless drive to establish an MA course in English Literature at a college that had, until then, not even offered basic undergraduate programmes in the subject. Yet, despite her success in creating the course and mentoring top-ranking students, she is met with resistance and a lack of recognition from both the administration and her colleagues.

Writing from memory and experience

‘The College Uphill’ is as much about memory as it is about writing. Using the epistolary form in parts of the book, Bhandare blends fact with fiction, recalling actual letters and correspondence that shaped her professional life.

“I didn’t face writer’s block during the process. I just had so much to say,” she says. This directness and authenticity are key to the book’s appeal. There are no exaggerations or embellishments in her portrayal of Moga’s trials. “If I don’t like someone, I’ll say it. If someone deserves credit, I give it. I don’t shy away from the truth. This book is my truth,” says Bhandare.

A call for educational reform

The primary theme of the book centres around the need for institutional reform. Bhandare’s critique is not just about her personal frustrations but also about the larger systemic issues in education. One of the key events in the book involves a critical turning point in Moga’s career—when the administration refuses to recognise her efforts, even after she brings significant changes to the institution. This echoes Bhandare’s own experience.

“It’s important for educational institutions to support their teachers, not just in terms of salary but in terms of growth,” she says. “We need to ask: What is the institution doing to help its faculty grow? What is the management doing to nurture an environment of progress and change?”

The impact of Moga’s struggles

For readers familiar with the challenges facing teachers today, ‘The College Uphill’ resonates deeply. The book sheds light on common issues such as colleague rivalry, administrative apathy, and the struggles that come with being a dedicated teacher in a system that doesn’t always reward such devotion. The novel is ultimately about resilience—about a woman who never gives up, even when the system seems designed to push her down.

“I hope readers, especially those in education, will recognise themselves in Moga’s character. It’s a story of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity,” says Bhandare.

Looking forward

Though Bhandare’s current focus is on her writing, she admits that engaging with readers has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. While she is not active on social media, she remains connected with her readers through personal interactions and word of mouth. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many readers noting how the book resonates with their own experiences both in personal life and as a professional in the education field.

Looking ahead, Bhandare is already at work on her next project—‘A Big Catch’, a novel that is slated for release mid-2025.

As Bhandare continues to share her stories through words, her legacy as both an educator and a storyteller grows ever more impactful—one page at a time.

Advice for aspiring writers

“Be true to your writing. Don’t worry about what society or relatives will say. Write from the heart, and your work will speak for itself.”