To most people, the words “board exams” bring back memories of rubbing sleep-deprived eyes, staring blankly at walls of text, and sweating from nightmares of being the only kid in class to fall in the dreaded “70 percenters.” Not exactly things 

When Sandhya Wiswan decided to homeschool her son, Pranav, she was not worried about any consequences. Homeschooling in India isn’t common, but Pranav, a gifted musician, planned to pursue a career in music, which wouldn’t require a conventional education or degree. 

Manikya and his mother rummage through the dry leaves in their backyard. They are searching for thick twigs. They’re still wearing their jackets, having just returned from the morning walk that starts each school day. When you ask him why