From a Chalk in Hand to a Cause in Heart
Some moments arrive without warning – quiet, unplanned, yet deeply transformative.
It was an ordinary day at a local coaching class. The History teacher for Class 9 was absent, and to ensure the class didn’t go unattended, Harshvardhan Patil — who had just completed his 10th — was asked to take over the session. He stepped in, shared the lesson, and interacted with the students. There was no showmanship, no dramatic shift. But there was ease, simplicity, and connection. By the end of the lecture, several students went to the management with a simple request — they wanted Harshvardhan Sir to teach them History going forward.
It was a small beginning, but a significant one. What started as a one-off class slowly turned into a path. Harshvardhan began teaching more subjects — English, Geography, Chemistry — and eventually found his core strength in Physics. It wasn’t because it was easy. In fact, it was the opposite. Physics was often a challenge for many students, and that challenge became his motivation — to simplify, to demystify, and to make it approachable.
Over time, he moved beyond teaching. He became a counselor, a mentor, and someone who offered clarity, confidence, and a sense of direction.
“I always wanted to be the teacher I never had,” he often says — and that belief aligned perfectly with the values of Yashwant Classes he had grown up in.
Yashwant Classes was founded in 1995 by his father and mentor, Shri Sheetal Patil — a COEP graduate renowned for his innovative mindset and his unique ability to trace every concept back to its root — guided by a clear principle: “Vidyarthi Hitay, Palak Sukhay” — for the well-being of students and the peace of mind of parents. From its humble beginnings, the institute has grown steadily over the past three decades, mentoring more than 25,000 students and operating today with a dedicated team of over 100 educators, mentors, and support professionals. The entire Patil family — including Harshvardhan’s mother, Ujwala Sheetal Patil, and his brother, Aditya Patil — remain deeply aligned with this purpose, having dedicated their lives to advancing the vision and values of Yashwant Classes. Yashwant Classes offers professional coaching for students from Std. 8th to 10th across all boards (CBSE, ICSE, SSC) and prepares Std. 11th and 12th Science students for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and MHT-CET.
Harshvardhan brought fresh energy to this legacy. With a Master’s in Physics, a background in Business Administration, and a specialised Education Business Management program from IIT Delhi, he introduced structure, innovation, and leadership into every department of the institute. His own academic record — 94% in 10th ICSE and 90% in 12th — set a high benchmark, but more than marks, it was his belief in consistency and discipline that stood out. He often refers to it as "Kadak Shist, Kadak Yash" — a philosophy of firm structure leading to meaningful achievement.
But discipline for Harshvardhan is not about pressure — it’s about creating systems that support and empower. His classrooms are spaces where students feel safe to ask questions, express confusion, and work through challenges without fear. His mentorship style is personal, not transactional — built on listening first, guiding second. This thoughtful approach has not only shaped insightful learners but also contributed to Yashwant Classes' proven track record of students’ academic success and holistic development.
Harshvardhan often encourages teenagers and young minds to reflect on a defining question — who do you choose to admire? He challenges them to look beyond the noise of social media and fleeting fame. “Don’t follow reel stars,” he says, “find a real star.” To him, a true role model isn’t someone viral, but someone with visible contribution to society yet grounded, approachable, and genuinely committed to your growth. It's not about popularity, but about purpose.
Beyond academics, Harshvardhan has been the driving force behind several thoughtful initiatives that reflect the deeper values of Yashwant Classes. Matru Naam Pratham honours the unspoken strength of mothers in a child’s educational journey. Samanvay Must bridges the often difficult emotional gap between parents and teenagers through structured workshops for parents. Vidyarthi Hitay Vyakhyanmala brings in inspiring figures from different walks of life to broaden students’ outlook beyond textbooks. And Vande Stritvam fosters respect, empathy, and awareness around gender sensitivity and equality.
The learning model at Yashwant Classes under his leadership is built on 6-Layered Learning Program — from interactive concept-building and AI-based revision tools to over 100 concept-focused tests, structured doubt-solving, one-on-one mentoring, and a parallel engagement platform for parents called Samanvay Must — co-created by father-son duo Shri Sheetal Patil and Harshvardhan Patil. He inspires students to become curious learners by encouraging them in learning beyond textbooks and the classroom. It’s a complete ecosystem designed not just to train students for exams, but to prepare them for life.
Recognitions have followed — the Inspiring Youth Educator Award by Zee Group, the Best Teacher Award by Lions Club, and the Lokmat Education Icon Award — but the real measure of success remains the thousands of young minds who walk out not just with academic results, but with discipline, direction, and a strong sense of self-worth.
Today, Harshvardhan continues to steer Yashwant Classes with a quiet but clear vision — blending tradition with creativity, classroom rigor with life skills, and academic performance with emotional well-being.
Today, Harshvardhan is recognized as one of Pune’s youngest and most trusted student counsellors. He brings not just expertise, but a rare blend of relatability and insight that today’s Gen-Z learners genuinely resonate with.
And to think, it all began with one quiet class on a lazy afternoon.
Yashwant Classes
Address – Yashwant Campus, Opposite Balaji Nagar BRT Bus Stop, Balaji Nagar, Pune-Satara Rd, Pune - 411043, Maharashtra
Website - https://yashwantclasses.in/
Email – connect@yashwantclasses.in
Phone Number – 9665365365 / 9665109999
Social Media Handles –
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/yashwant.classes/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566374910824
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/yashwant-classes/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@yashwantclasses1995
X – https://x.com/Yashwant_Class
Tags:
Featured