As a dedicated Geography teacher, Professor Sandhya Pathania is known for her commitment to students’ success, with many of her students achieving prominent positions, including becoming IAS officers and professors. Prof. Pathania excels in managing challenges, guiding research scholars, and leading practical learning experiences, such as field trips and GIS training. She also left a mark with her role of a teacher in the movie ‘Paridhi’. Her teaching and leadership have significantly contributed to the growth and reputation of the college.

Prof. Sandhya Pathania is the Head of the Department of Geography in Government Meera Girls College in Udaipur.

Prof. Pathania has been  working in the college from 1999 in the Geography Department. In between, she was transferred to some other college in 2014 but again joined this institute in 2015. Prof. Pathania shares that, under the guidance of the Principal Prof. Deepak Maheshwari, who also hails from the Geography Department, the college has seen nearly 400 admissions this year, reflecting its growing reputation. Currently there are only two faculty members in the Department of Geography, and she works alongside the other faculty member, Savitri Paitdar, and teaches PG and UG students.

Prof. Sandhya Pathania takes pride in the success of her students who have secured good positions in prominent companies and are working in important  academic roles, including assistant professor positions in Ahmedabad. She believes that a student's achievements reflect the effectiveness of their teachers’ teaching and the capabilities of the students themselves. The effectiveness of her teaching is evident in the strong performances of her students in exams too.

Prof. Pathania views challenges as opportunities for growth, emphasizing that a clear mindset is essential for overcoming obstacles. Currently, Prof. Pathania manages five classes across first, second, and third years, alongside one other faculty member in the Geography Department. Rather than perceiving this as a burden, she considers her busy schedule a matter of planning and management, recognizing that every step in life comes with its unique challenges.

In addition to teaching, Prof. Pathania guides research scholars and is involved in internal assessments, particularly in the context of the implementation of the NEP. Geography, being a practical subject, requires her to check each student's project files, encompassing rough drafts, pencil drafts and pen drafts. With around 290 first-year students, she reviews their files twice, and the same process applies to second, third, MA previous, and final year students.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Prof. Sandhya Pathania engages her students in various extracurricular activities, such as street plays, which provide them with additional exposure and makes learning more enjoyable. One such play  was performed by the students on World Conservation Day, which was a significant challenge for her as she had to write the script. Furthermore, she organized an educational visit to the Amul Dairy Plant, which involved taking 45 girls to the facility, presenting logistical challenges.

In the Geography Lab at the College, students learn about GIS and Remote Sensing. The faculty members focus on helping the students from backward and deprived sections who may have limited exposure to technology, such as laptops and computers. The faculty members strive to educate them on how to use satellite imagery for generating Thematic Maps, about GIS and the process of converting raster and vector images into data. With 20 functional computers available in the lab, students can practice and develop expertise in these essential skills and continue learning.

Prof. Pathania shares that, in their endeavor to increase admissions, the college staff actively used to visit households to raise awareness among families about the benefits of pursuing PG courses at Government Meera Girls College. This effort led to a surge in admissions, particularly in the Geography Department, where they sometimes had to select from a high number of applicants. Prof. Sandhya Pathania takes pride in the successful placements of their female graduates, many of whom have achieved recognition in society, including prominent figures like Ms. Pragya Kewalramani (IAS), Associate Professor Shagufta Saifi, and Dr. Shivani Swarnkar who is on deputation. Many of her students have now become colleagues and are working with her in the college. Prof. Pathania is dedicated to attracting more youth to the college, believing in the importance of growth and connection within the educational community.

Classes at the college run from 8 AM to 4 PM, with faculty members always present to guide students during practical sessions, ensuring that their time is effectively utilized for learning. The students are highly motivated and continually seek to upskill. The teachers too regularly enroll themselves in new courses to stay updated on the latest technologies and provide additional knowledge to the students beyond the syllabus.

Prof. Sandhya recalls that her educational journey began in Jaipur at St. Angela Sophia Senior Secondary School. In between, she had to go to Meerut for some time. After some time, she returned to St. Angela. She initially pursued studies in science and excelled at creating high-quality dissection slides from dicot stems. However, she struggled with frog dissections, which triggered her aversion to blood and led to fainting during the process. This experience forced her to reevaluate her academic path and she applied for a change of stream.

She attributes her interest in Geography to destiny. She reveals that her education journey was significantly influenced by her mother, Chamal Saxena, who held the position of next to principal at Sawai Mansingh School and had connections with Maharani Gayatri Devi. In October, in the middle of the session in the 11th grade, Prof. Sandhya got admission to Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls' School and changed her stream from Science to Arts. Here, she had subjects like Geography, Fine Arts, and Music. She excelled in Fine Arts too, topping her class in 12th, but her passion for Geography grew stronger. During her BA at Maharani College, she chose Geography over Fine Arts as her major subject and was advised by a friend of her mother's who introduced her to the Britannica Atlas. Since geography was not offered at Maharani College, she had to attend Geography classes at Maharaja College. Later, she graduated from Maharani College. She pursued her post-graduation at Rajasthan College, Jaipur, and obtained her PhD from MLSU in Udaipur.

In 1999, Prof. Sandhya joined Government Meera Girls College after clearing the SLET examination. In 2005, she enrolled for PhD under her colleague Dr. Palak Bhardwaj as her PhD Supervisor. Though pursuing a PhD while raising two children was challenging, she somehow managed it. She was awarded her PhD degree in 2009 and enrolled herself for PhD supervisor in 2013 and seven students were assigned to her for PhD. Prof. Sandhya considers herself lucky that all the seven students got jobs as soon as they joined her for PhD, though none of them were able to complete their PhD till 2024. However, recently, one of the students has submitted their thesis, and expects the PhD to be awarded soon.

Prof. Pathania has also held leadership roles, including serving as the President of the Leadership Training Services (LTS) group, which collaborates with St. Xavier's School and St. Angela Sophia School. In this role, she not only managed events but also engaged in community service initiatives, such as outreach programs in villages.

Prof. Sandhya had an enriching experience working on the movie ‘Paridhi’, which was a project by her close friend Supriya.  Encouraged by her parents to join the project, she took on the role of a teacher in the film. The movie beautifully narrates the cyclical relationship between a student and a teacher, highlighting how the teacher guides the student, who later, in turn, supports the teacher when she is alone.

Prof. Sandhya's portrayal of the teacher was noteworthy, and she performed exceptionally well in front of the camera. This experience deepened her understanding of the reciprocal nature of mentorship and the lasting impact a teacher can have on a student's life, and vice versa.

When asked about her role models, Prof. Pathania cites her father, who treated his daughters and son equally and involved them in family decisions. He taught them the importance of sharing and communicating within the family, emphasizing that no one truly understands what another is going through without open dialogue. Her father's approach to life, especially in managing stress, has influenced her a lot. She states that the way she handles stress is crucial, especially as she balances her responsibilities with her husband, who works in print media at Amar Ujala. Her father believed that one’s reaction to stress is crucial in determining outcomes. Prof. Pathania credits her father with instilling in her the value of making thoughtful decisions and accepting circumstances to work towards improving them, thus fostering a productive and balanced life amidst challenges.

Prof. Sandhya Pathania lives by the quote, "All we are today is due to ourselves, and you can’t blame others for who you are today." She believes this encapsulates life in a nutshell, emphasizing that blaming others for your circumstances is not a commendable quality. She insists that individuals are responsible for their own paths and that their current situation is a result of their own choices and actions.

To aspiring students in the field of Geography, Prof. Pathania conveys a message of encouragement and support. She highlights that Government Meera Girls College provides extensive resources and guidance to help students forge successful careers in the field of geography. The faculty teaches geographical principles in an accessible manner, using layman’s language to ensure better understanding.

Additionally, the college offers modules, instructional videos, external lectures, seminars, and workshops, which equip students with a clear understanding of opportunities available after pursuing geography, such as careers in education and town planning. She stresses that the critical thinking and visualization skills developed through studying geography are essential for area development and contribute significantly to the field. Students pursuing geography receive valuable insights into opportunities in fields such as education and town planning.

Prof. Sandhya shares that geographers are hired for their unique thought processes and perspectives, which enable them to make balanced decisions based on their understanding. Students in this field have promising career opportunities in Town Planning and in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The college provides facilities for surveying and leveling, including updated models and practical exercises. Field trips to locations such as Shilp Gram allow students to gain hands-on experience with tools like Indian clinometers for contouring, helping them understand concepts such as Set Lines (समुच्य लाइनें) and Radial Line methods.

At Meera Girls College, students gain practical experience using dumpy levels to create longitudinal profiles, which enhances their understanding of surveying concepts. This hands-on practice, conducted on campus, reinforces their clarity on relevant topics.

Prof. Sandhya Pathania and other faculty members guide students in planning their futures by informing them about potential exams, such as REET and NET. She shares success stories of students, including Sukhi, who has become a Gram Sevak, and highlights that several others have cleared the NET exam, with one student achieving this milestone three times. Another notable student, Khushavi, was selected for a BEd program while still in her first semester.

She proudly notes that the college provides an excellent platform for students, addressing their queries and helping them find the right direction. This support is crucial in saving students’ time and enhancing their prospects for a better future.

Moreover, Prof. Pathania highlights the significance of enjoying college life, as college life creates lasting memories that stay with us throughout our lives, and the friendships formed during this time are particularly meaningful. These relationships extend beyond family ties, providing support and connections that play a vital role in our personal and professional development.

Students are encouraged to embrace diversity and cultivate friendships with students from diverse backgrounds. While differences may exist initially, they often lead to deeper understanding and collaboration as bonds are formed. The way groups develop within this diverse environment is commendable, fostering an atmosphere where students learn from one another, share experiences, and grow together.

Government Meera Girls College has a unique approach to fostering collaboration between students of varying strengths. Intelligent students are encouraged to assist their peers who may be struggling, creating a supportive learning environment. Teaching others helps reinforce the concepts for both the teacher and the learner. In the absence of teachers, students take initiative by leading discussions and engaging their classmates, which further aids in clarifying concepts. They also share video recordings of their sessions with the faculty for additional feedback.

Government Meera Girls College provides a supportive platform for students, addressing their queries and guiding them toward a successful future while also encouraging personal growth and strong relationships among peers.

The college encourages students to pursue their studies without making excuses. Students including cancer patients and mothers while caring for four-month-old children and even students with heart problems have attended classes here. Despite these difficulties, these students have excelled academically and achieved remarkable success in their personal and professional lives. Their dedication serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that perseverance and commitment can lead to positive outcomes, regardless of the circumstances.