JAIPUR: Barefoot College, set up in a deserted government warehouse in Tilonia in 1972 which later spread to 95 countries across four continents, is celebrating its golden jubilee.
Delhi University alumnus Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy left his highly paid job in 1967 and arrived in Tilonia (Ajmer) with his farmer friend Meghraj in 1972 to help villagers. Inspired by his vision for rural India, then Ajmer DM Anil Bodiya offered him the warehouse to run his activities to empower the villagers.
When most of the world had power shortage, the institute held its first workshop on solar power in 1996. Soon, such workshops started being held in other states and in no time it reached to 95 nations. The programme is popularly known as ‘Solar Mamas’, which provides training on how to fabricate solar panels, lights, repair and install them to semi-literate women from non-electrified villages, has impacted more than 1 million women.
“Beneficiaries of the programme came from 95 countries to the campus in Tilonia, most of them from the poorest of the poor in terms of resources. From Mauritania to Sierra Leone and from war-torn Afghanistan to Pacific Islands, the project is lighting households,” said Saritaa Hegde Roy, advisor to Barefoot College.
Over the years, Barefoot College has helped over 90,000 child labourers attend 250-night schools in 10 states. The college has impacted three generations who have benefitted from learning experience.
Roy worked tirelessly for the revival of rural crafts by making them sustainable. From starting a handicraft, block printing and designing work in 1974 with a handful of artis ans, it has expanded to 25,000 artisans spread in five districts.
