Activist, educator Bunker Roy dies at 81
Roy founded The Barefoot College, a rural development organisation that advances drinking water and solar electrification initiatives, and women’s empowerment.
Black News 
Social activist and educator Sanjit “Bunker” Roy died in Tilonia, Rajasthan on Tuesday, his friends said. He was 81.
In 1972, Bunker Roy founded the Social Work and Research Centre, a voluntary rural development organisation that advances drinking water and solar electrification initiatives, the empowerment of women, skill development and healthcare. The organisation is now known as The Barefoot College.
In 1986, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
In 2010, Time magazine recognised him as one of the 100 most influential personalities for his work in educating citizens in rural India.
Barefoot College had trained more than three million persons for jobs in the modern world such as solar engineers, teachers, midwives, weavers, architects, doctors and more, the magazine said.
He is survived by his wife, activist and former Indian Administrative Service officer Aruna Roy.
‘A visionary who empowered rural India’
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Bunker Roy made “remarkable contributions to rural self-reliance, education and various areas of development”.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that Bunker Roy was a “visionary” social activist who dedicated his life to empowering rural India through self-reliance, sustainable development and grassroots innovation.
“…He transcended conventional notions of formal education, proving that illiterate and semi-literate villagers, especially women, possessed the wisdom, skill, and capability to build, innovate, and lead,” Tharoor said.
Bunker Roy’s “extraordinary...
