Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy, the renowned social activist and founder of Barefoot College, died at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on November 10, 2026, at the age of 81. He passed away at 6.15 am in the presence of his wife, noted social activist Aruna Roy, and other close associates. For more than five decades, Roy worked towards rural development, women’s empowerment and sustainable living, challenging the belief that formal education was necessary to acquire technical skills.
Through Barefoot College, which he established in 1972, he trained rural women, including grandmothers who had never attended school, to become solar engineers capable of installing, repairing and maintaining solar lighting systems in their villages. His death has prompted tributes from political leaders, activists and writers who have remembered his contribution to grassroots development and community empowerment. His funeral is scheduled to take place in Tilonia at 4 pm on Tuesday.
From Rural Grandmothers To Solar Engineers
One of Roy’s most influential contributions was the creation of opportunities for rural women to acquire technical skills traditionally associated with formal education and professional training. Through Barefoot College’s Solar Mamas programme, women from remote villages in India and other countries, many of whom could neither read nor write, were trained to assemble, install and maintain solar-powered lighting systems. After completing their training in Tilonia, these women returned to their communities to electrify homes and help maintain the systems independently.
The programme eventually expanded internationally, bringing women from countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America to India for training. Roy once described the transformation of these women with the words, “They leave as grandmothers and come back tigers.” The organisation also trained rural residents as hand-pump mechanics, healthcare workers, teachers and artisans. Its work extended to drinking water, rainwater harvesting, healthcare, traditional crafts and education.
Remembering Roy’s contribution, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said his extraordinary vision of training rural grandmothers as ‘Barefoot Solar Engineers’ illuminated thousands of homes without electricity across India and the developing world. He described Roy’s legacy as one of dignity, community empowerment and environmental stewardship.
A Life Dedicated To Village Self-Reliance
Born Sanjit Roy in 1945 into an upper-middle-class Bengali family, Bunker Roy was educated at The Doon School and St Stephen’s College, Delhi. He was also a three-time national squash champion and appeared set for a conventional professional career. However, his experience volunteering during the Bihar famine in 1966 changed his understanding of poverty and development. In a later interview, he recalled how his inability to adapt to village life challenged the assumptions he had developed through his education.
After travelling across India and studying grassroots organisations, he settled in Tilonia, Rajasthan, where he established the Social Work and Research Centre in 1972, which became popularly known as Barefoot College. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles, Roy believed that rural communities possessed valuable knowledge and should have the skills and resources to address their own challenges rather than depend entirely on outside experts. His work earned him the Padma Shri in 1986. In 2010, Time magazine included him in its list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his condolences, saying Roy made remarkable contributions to rural self-reliance, education and development, dedicating his life to empowering villages and improving the lives of disadvantaged communities. Writer Amitav Ghosh also remembered him as a true hero and pioneer. Roy is survived by his wife, Aruna Roy, who is widely recognised for her work in grassroots activism and the Right to Information movement.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bunker Roy’s life reminds us that intelligence, knowledge and the ability to bring change cannot be measured solely through formal degrees or academic qualifications. By trusting rural women with technical responsibilities and placing local communities at the centre of development, he challenged deeply rooted social inequalities and demonstrated what meaningful empowerment looks like. His work also highlighted the importance of sustainable solutions that respect local knowledge, encourage self-reliance and give marginalised communities the opportunity to shape their own futures.
At a time when development is often measured through large investments and technological advancements, Roy’s legacy encourages us to recognise the power of grassroots initiatives, inclusive education and collective action. His passing is a reminder that lasting social change begins when people are given the confidence, resources and opportunities to lead it themselves. How can India carry forward Bunker Roy’s vision of empowering communities through accessible education, practical skills and sustainable development?
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