World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Barefoot College founder Bunker Roy dies at 81
Social activist Sanjit Bunker Roy died at 81 at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on November 10.
Roy founded Barefoot College in 1972 in the village, where he worked for more than five decades on rural development and women's empowerment.
The college trained rural people in skills to solve problems in their communities, including solar energy, water conservation, healthcare and education.
Its best-known programme trained women, including those with no formal schooling, to install and maintain solar lighting in their villages.
The approach reflected Roy's belief in village self-reliance, drawing on Mahatma Gandhi's ideas and reducing reliance on outside experts.
Barefoot College's work expanded beyond India, and its other programmes included night schools for children who could not attend regular classes.
Roy's funeral is planned in Tilonia at 4 p.m.
Barefoot College founder and social activist Sanjit Bunker Roy died at 81 at his home in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on November 10, 2026.
He had spent more than five decades working on rural development and women’s empowerment.
Roy founded the Social Work and Research Centre, known as Barefoot College, in Tilonia in 1972.
The college trained rural people in areas including solar energy, water conservation, education and healthcare.
A funeral was scheduled to take place in Tilonia at 4 p.m. on November 10.
- Who
- Sanjit Bunker Roy, founder of Barefoot College and a social activist.
- What
- He died at 81.
- When
- November 10, 2026, in the morning.
- Where
- His home in Tilonia, in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, India.
- Why
- The cause of death was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Roy founded the Social Work and Research Centre, known as Barefoot College, in Tilonia.
A statement said Roy died peacefully at his home in Tilonia.
Activist Nikhil Dey said Roy’s funeral would take place in Tilonia.
- Age
- 81
- Founded
- Social Work and Research Centre, known as Barefoot College, in 1972
- Death location
- Tilonia, Ajmer district, Rajasthan
- Death time
- 6:15 a.m. on November 10, 2026
- Funeral
- Scheduled for 4 p.m. in Tilonia on November 10
What people are saying
Bunker Roy passed away peacefully at 6.15 a.m. this morning with Aruna and others around him. He went as he wanted to, in his own home in Tilonia, surrounded by some of the countless people who loved and cared for him deeply and passionately