Social activist Bunker Roy, who founded Barefoot College, dies at 81

Renowned social activist and founder of the Barefoot College, Sanjit Bunker Roy, passed away peacefully at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan on Tuesday morning. He was 81 years old. Roy's death was mourned by his wife, noted social activist Aruna Roy, and others close to him. A funeral was planned for 4 p.m. in Tilonia.

Bunker Roy dedicated over five decades to rural development and women's empowerment. He founded the Barefoot College in 1972, initially in a Rajasthan village, which soon gained international recognition. Roy's philosophy centered on empowering villagers, even those without formal education, to acquire technical skills and solve community problems.

The Barefoot College focused on training rural people in various fields like solar energy, water conservation, healthcare and livelihood-related activities. A notable program trained women, including those without formal education, to install and maintain solar lighting systems in their villages. This initiative later expanded globally, with women from multiple countries undergoing training at Tilonia.

The college also implemented rainwater harvesting, rural education, and traditional crafts programs. Roy's development approach was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of village self-reliance, emphasizing that rural communities should not solely depend on outside experts for basic services.