{"id":29695,"date":"2025-05-23T09:29:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T09:29:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/?p=29695"},"modified":"2026-01-14T11:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T11:04:22","slug":"a-visionary-leader-changed-mindsets-about-girls-education-by-opening-a-school-in-indore-now-his-sons-carry-the-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/customer-story-issant-singh-highlight-school-indore","title":{"rendered":"A Visionary Leader Changed Mindsets About Girls\u2019 Education by Opening a School in Indore &#8211; Now His Sons Carry the Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Issant Singh Pawar, Highlight Higher Secondary School, Indore<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"video-cen\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4VdE7jxsjHo?si=sbZUCu4x9rLeh6R1\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<p>Access to quality education continues to be a challenge for many children in our country, especially for girls. Even with so many awareness campaigns and government schemes, a large number of girls still don\u2019t get to finish school. Some lose interest along the way, while others have to quit because of pressure at home or financial struggles. But in one corner of Indore, something different has taken shape &#8211; thanks to the vision of a father and the dedication of his two sons.<\/p>\n<p>Uday Singh Pawar and Issant Singh Pawar carry forward the dream of their late father, Bhagwan Singh Pawar &#8211; a well-known maths teacher in the area, remembered not just for his teaching but for the kindness he showed to every student who walked through his doors. He ran a successful coaching center, but what stayed with him most were the quiet challenges his students faced.<\/p>\n<p><strong>He repeatedly observed how so many children, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/addressing-girl-child-in-science-education\">girls<\/a>, were being left behind. Bright young girls who had big dreams were dropping out of School far too early.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe used to tell us it pained him to see such talent go to waste,\u201d Issant recalls. \u201cMost parents would allow their daughters to study till 10th or 12th, and after 18 or so, all they wanted was to get them married.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/apply\/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=school\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\"  title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/CTA-School-Banner-3.jpg\" alt=\"CTA\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Even though his coaching center was doing well, Bhagwan Singh knew that wasn\u2019t enough. He and his wife, who stood beside him at every step and even helped with teaching, felt the need to do something more meaningful. They wanted to build a School that opened its doors to every child &#8211; no matter where they came from or how much their parents earned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy father believed that education should not be a privilege,\u201d Issant shares. \u201cHe always said that if even one person in a family is educated, the whole generation ahead is shaped by it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That strong belief became the foundation of Highlight Higher Secondary School. From the start, its goal was clear &#8211; to provide children from low-income families a real chance, especially girls who didn\u2019t always get the support they needed at home.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Uday and Issant Singh are carrying that mission forward. What their father started with passion and courage is now growing under their care. They aren\u2019t just managing a school, they\u2019re continuing a legacy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/continuing-the-legacy-of-his-father-this-up-man-empowers-girl-education-through-his-school\/\">Continuing the Legacy of His Father, This UP Man Empowers Girl Education Through His School<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Growing the School<\/h2>\n<p>Highlight Higher Secondary School was started back in 2001 with a simple purpose &#8211; to make education more accessible, especially for girls in the local area. Bhagwan Singh and his wife, Usha, began the school with only three rooms and around 30 to 40 students. The school operated on limited resources, and <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/how-to-manage-school-finances-smoothly\/\">managing finances<\/a> was a struggle. They had to ensure that teachers\u2019 salaries and other expenses were covered despite financial constraints.<\/p>\n<p>Right from the beginning, both parents took it upon themselves to reach out to the community. They went door to door, speaking with families, trying to help them understand why education &#8211; particularly for girls was so important.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey would sit down with parents, listen to what worried them, and explain why sending their daughters to school could change their lives,\u201d Issant shares. \u201cIt took time and a lot of patience, but slowly people began to believe in their vision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With growing trust and support from the local families, the school started expanding. From a primary level to Class 5, then to Class 8, and eventually into a full higher secondary school.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, we have 478 students learning with us. Every step we\u2019ve taken has been focused on giving these children the right <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/how-to-create-safe-learning-environment\">environment<\/a> to grow, learn, and imagine a better future,\u201d says Issant, reflecting on the journey.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Also Read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/a-school-is-not-just-a-place-for-learning-it-is-the-heart-of-a-community-a-leaders-vision-for-transforming-his-village-ghughli\/\">\u201cA School is Not Just a Place for Learning, It is the Heart of a Community\u201d: A Leader\u2019s Vision for Transforming His Village Ghughli<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Family\u2019s Philosophy in Running the School<\/h2>\n<p>Even though he was the director of the school, Bhagwan Singh never stepped away from the classroom. He enjoyed teaching and made sure he was there with the students every day &#8211; sharing knowledge, guiding them, and shaping their future, just like any other teacher.<\/p>\n<p>His sons, Issant Singh and Uday Singh watched all of this closely as they grew up. In 2010, they officially joined the school\u2019s work, carrying forward their father\u2019s vision to provide education to children from underprivileged backgrounds.<\/p>\n<p>One incident deeply shaped the way the brothers saw their future. When their father once fell ill and was admitted to the hospital, a young doctor walked in and instantly recognized their father. He had been one of Bhagwan Singh\u2019s students years ago.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He came forward with so much respect and said, &#8216;Sir, I am who I am today because of you. Please allow me to treat you personally.&#8217; That moment left us speechless,&#8221; says Issant. &#8220;It showed us what real impact looks like.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That simple act of gratitude was a turning point for both Issant and Uday Singh. It made them realise that their father&#8217;s school was not just an institution. It was a place that had transformed lives quietly and impactfully over time.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We never saw this as just a family business to take over,&#8221; Issant Singh shares. &#8220;We saw it as a responsible legacy, and a way to give back to the same community that shaped us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Identifying the Emotional Bond<\/h2>\n<p>The Pawar family has always had a belief that education should be accessible to every child regardless of their parental wealth. Over the years, they have noticed how, frequently, mothers would be the ones who would make sure their children stay in school. Time and again, and with little resources, they would support their children&#8217;s educational journey, often with composed strength. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe focused on educating mothers in the community,\u201d shares Issant Singh. \u201cWe helped them see how sending their children to school could change the direction of their lives. This created a deep emotional connection and helped build lasting <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/how-to-build-trust-between-teacher-and-student\">trust<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor many parents, especially mothers, it wasn\u2019t just about school. It was about dignity, opportunity, and being heard,\u201d he adds. To ensure financial barriers never stop a child, the school continues to waive fees for 20 to 30 students every year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe believe that if a child is willing to learn, their circumstances should not stop them. We\u2019ll do whatever we can to support that,\u201d says Issant Singh.<\/p>\n<h2>Varthana as Growth Partner<\/h2>\n<p>While the school kept fees low to support families, improving its <a href=\"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/roi-of-investing-in-school-infrastructure\">infrastructure<\/a> remained a constant challenge. As the student numbers grew, so did the need for better facilities. That\u2019s when support from Varthana came in and helped move things forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn 2012, I received my first loan of \u20b92 lakhs from Varthana to manage the school\u2019s running expenses,\u201d shares Issant Singh. \u201cThe process was quick and clear, and the support felt personal. They understood our needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Encouraged by the results, he took another loan in 2016 to improve infrastructure &#8211; adding proper washrooms, whiteboards, and furniture, and repairing classrooms that needed attention. \u201cClean washrooms and basic furniture may sound simple, but they change how children feel about school,\u201d Issant Singh says. \u201cIt made a big difference in their comfort and learning.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, he took a third loan to continue building on that progress. What stood out most to him was the ease of the process. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have to go far. Everything was done right at our school. It saved us time and gave us the confidence to plan for the future,\u201d he explains. \u201cWhenever I think of doing something new for the school, I know I can count on Varthana,\u201d says Issant Singh. \u201cThey\u2019ve helped us turn our vision into something real.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Future Goals<\/h2>\n<p>Looking ahead, the Pawar family has a clear goal &#8211; to bring modern, technology-based learning into their school. They believe that to truly prepare students for the future, the way of teaching must also move forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s important to grow with time,\u201d says Issant Singh. \u201cOld teaching methods and outdated tools don\u2019t connect with children anymore. We need to make learning exciting and meaningful for them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Issant Singh Pawar, Highlight Higher Secondary School, Indore Access to quality education continues to be a challenge for many children in our country, especially for girls. Even with so many awareness campaigns and government schemes, a large number of girls still don\u2019t get to finish school. Some lose interest along the way, while others have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":29699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-customer-stories"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29695"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35072,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29695\/revisions\/35072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/varthana.com\/school\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}