Renowned social activist and Barefoot College founder Sanjit Bunker Roy, who spent more than five decades working for rural development and women’s empowerment, died at his home in Tilonia in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district on Tuesday (November 10, 2026) morning. He was 81.
Mr. What began in a Rajasthan village went on to become an internationally recognised institution for rural development. Barefoot College trained rural people in solar energy, water conservation, education, healthcare and livelihood-related activities. Its programmes placed particular importance on involving women in village development. One of its best-known initiatives trained rural women, including those who had never attended school, to install and maintain solar lighting systems.
Roy founded the Social Work and Research Centre, popularly known as Barefoot College, in Tilonia in 1972. Because they worked or helped their families during the day, education initiatives of Barefoot College included night schools for children who were unable to attend regular classes.
