States » NorthPosted at: Nov 10 2026 8:25PM


Rajasthan: Grassroots activist Padamshri Bunker Roy passes away in Ajmer

Jaipur, Nov 10 (UNI) Renowned activist, propagator-executor of the Gandhian doctrine of local solutions equipped self reliant villages, Sanjit Bunker Roy - whose pioneering works for water adequacy, application of solar energy and livelihood has transformed lives of over 10 million under privileged in 96 countries - passed away at Tilonia in Ajmer district today.
A man of all seasons - a grassroot activist, educator, ex-national squash champion, environmentalist, who left a possibly ‘successful’ career-track post, a highly privileged education in late 60s, for recharging wells to bring back water adequacy in the barren earth of Tilonia, breathed his last this morning braving old age related issues for quite some time. He was 81 years old.
"With deep sorrow we inform the passing away of Bunker Roy at 6:15 am on 10th November, 2026. He went peacefully as he wanted to in his own home in Tilonia surrounded by Magsaysay awardee wife Aruna Roy and some of the countless people who loved and cared for him deeply; passionately," Roy couple's long-time lieutenant Nikhil informed.
The herculean mission that had begun in barren water scarcity hit areas of Tilonia extended its cover in many nearby villages, then into different pockets in India and abroad. Soon, the mission expanded the agenda from water to solar energy, primary health-care, education and environment.
The Social Work & Research Centre (SWRC) popularly known as Barefoot College founded by Bunker in 1972, has started teaching under privileged masses the ways for working to attain water adequacy by recharging wells or other water bodies in their respective villages - hamlets. Later, they started imparting training to rural folks, particularly old women as Solar Dadi(s) or solar engineers for assembly and maintenance of solar energy units. The curriculum expanded further for training of primary health workers called barefoot doctors, barefoot dentists and barefoot teachers.
Roy's pioneering work through barefoot college has impacted positively the lives of over 10 million villagers in poverty and the backward drought-prone pockets in 5000- plus last-mile (remote) villages across more than 96 countries in past about 50 years. The grassroot activist's efforts also mitigated or sequestrated the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas bringing down its saturation by 11 lakh million Kilogramme.
Such is the positive and transformative effect of his good work that the UK's King Charles had sent him a personal letter from The Buckingham Palace to shower praise on him, lauding his "heroic efforts in Rajasthan since that time in 1970s and describing him as a "National Treasure".
On March 23, 2025, the King wrote - "Dear Bunker ! It was a great joy to receive your December (2024) letter finally ! I can not imagine what happened to your earlier one, but, I fear I have been somewhat over- whelmed in last 2 years !
"Your letter reminded me of all the years I have known and admired all your heroic efforts in Rajasthan since that time in 1970s (for Lord Mountbatten was killed in 1979) when I first met you. So, it is now very probably 50 years, not 25 ! You have clearly become a phenomenon - in fact a "National Treasure" - and I am constantly singing your praises, whenever I can, especially in Africa. There is much to discuss as I have many initiatives going on around the world and long for opportunity to see you, if, you ever come to the UK at any stage."
Roy bothered for no failures in Tilonia as he used to see every failure as a beginning. Everyone had a chance in Tilonia. "This is a place for cop outs, drop outs and wash outs.”-Bunker used to say.
Rooted in Gandhian principles of self-reliance, dignity and decentralisation, the institution was built on a radical yet simple belief: the knowledge, skills and wisdom of rural communities are powerful resources for their own development.
His vision extended beyond providing basic services. He sought to build the confidence and capacities of rural communities to identify their own challenges, develop local solutions and manage their resources independently. From night schools for rural children to community-based water management and renewable energy initiatives, his work demonstrated that meaningful development must be rooted in local ownership and participation.
His tasks and mission resulted in meaningful and sustainable transformation of life in the targeted regions, therefore, what began as an experiment in a small village in Rajasthan grew into an internationally recognised model of grassroots development, inspiring communities and development practitioners across continents. His work established Tilonia as a global centre for learning, innovation and community-led action.
Bunker Roy's contributions received national and international recognition. Among his many honours were the Padma Shri (1986), the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development (1985), the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (2004), the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2005) and the Blue Planet Prize (2011). In 2010, he was also named among TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World. He received the Clinton Global Citizen Award in 2013.
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