Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, renowned social activist and founder of Barefoot College, passed away at the age of 81 at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026. His death marks the loss of one of India's prominent grassroots development advocates, whose work focused on rural self-reliance, women's empowerment and practical education.
Roy breathed his last at approximately 6:15 am in the presence of his wife, social activist Aruna Roy, and people close to him. The news was confirmed in a statement issued by people associated with him.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Social activist and Barefoot College founder Sanjit “Bunker” Roy passes away at 81.
Location: India.
Authority/Organisation: Barefoot College (Social Work and Research Centre).
Action Taken: Family and associates confirmed his death; funeral was announced in Tilonia.
- Impact: His work leaves a lasting contribution to rural development, women's empowerment and community-based technology.
Over more than five decades, Roy worked to demonstrate that rural communities could develop their own solutions to challenges involving electricity, water, education, healthcare and livelihoods. His approach challenged the assumption that technical knowledge and development work must always depend on formally trained outside experts.
In 1972, Roy founded the Social Work and Research Centre, widely known as Barefoot College, in Tilonia, Rajasthan. What began as a grassroots initiative in a village developed into an internationally recognised organisation working with marginalised communities.
One of the institution's most recognised initiatives involved training rural women, including women with little or no formal education, to become solar engineers. Participants learned to install, maintain and repair solar lighting systems before returning to their villages to support local electricity access.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Bunker Roy's work challenged conventional approaches to development by placing rural communities at the centre of problem-solving. His initiatives demonstrated that women without formal technical education could acquire practical engineering skills and maintain essential infrastructure in their villages. The model also highlighted the importance of decentralised development, local knowledge and community participation. These principles remain relevant to discussions about renewable energy, rural education, livelihood creation and sustainable development.
The programme eventually attracted participants from several countries, bringing women to Tilonia for practical training. The initiative demonstrated how technical skills could be shared with rural communities and used to improve everyday living conditions.
Barefoot College also worked in areas such as rainwater harvesting, rural healthcare, education, traditional crafts and livelihood development. Its educational programmes included night schools for children unable to attend conventional classes because of daytime work and family responsibilities.
Roy's philosophy was strongly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of village self-reliance. He believed that communities possessed valuable knowledge and abilities that could be strengthened through practical training and collective participation.
His work placed particular emphasis on women as leaders of local development. Rather than treating rural residents only as beneficiaries of welfare programmes, the Barefoot College model sought to equip them with skills to manage and sustain essential services within their own communities.
The organisation's initiatives extended beyond India, creating opportunities for rural women and communities in different parts of the world to learn and apply locally appropriate technologies.
Roy's death has prompted tributes from public figures and people associated with rural development. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recalled his contribution to rural self-reliance, education and village empowerment, while Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also expressed condolences.
The funeral was announced to take place in Tilonia at 4 pm on November 10, according to activist Nikhil Dey. The village that became the centre of Roy's development work will also be the place where people gather to pay their final respects.
His legacy is closely connected to the belief that sustainable development becomes stronger when local communities, particularly women, have the knowledge and confidence to shape their own futures.
