Bunker Roy Quotes

Powerful Bunker Roy for Daily Growth

About Bunker Roy

Bunker Roy (born Balwant Singh Sandhu in 1935), an Indian social entrepreneur and development worker, is best known as the founder of the Barefoot College, a unique educational institution that empowers rural communities through skill-based learning. Born in Punjab, India, Roy was deeply influenced by his experiences during the Indian Partition and subsequent displacement. This early exposure to human suffering instilled in him a lifelong commitment to social justice and equality. He studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and later joined the Indian Foreign Service, but he left this career to follow his passion for rural development. In 1972, Roy established the Barefoot College in Tilonia, a remote village in Rajasthan. The college provides education and vocational training to rural women, empowering them to become change-makers in their communities. Over the years, the Barefoot College has gained global recognition for its innovative approach to sustainable development. Roy's work has been influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of 'Gram Swaraj' (village self-rule) and the principles of participatory democracy. He has received numerous awards for his contributions, including the Right Livelihood Award in 1980 and the Magsaysay Award in 1982. Quotes by Bunker Roy reflect his visionary approach to development: "Development is a process which enables people to realize their potential, in their own context." His work continues to inspire many around the world, proving that with the right resources and opportunities, even the most marginalized communities can transform their lives.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Development is not about doing something for people; it's about empowering them to do things themselves."

This quote emphasizes that true development is not about external actions taken on behalf of people, but rather providing them with the tools, knowledge, and empowerment they need to act independently and make their own decisions. In other words, it's about fostering self-reliance and autonomy among individuals and communities, enabling them to take charge of their own growth and development.


"Education is a process of discovering who you are and what you care about."

This quote by Bunker Roy suggests that education isn't just about acquiring knowledge, but also understanding oneself - one's values, passions, interests, and identity. It implies that the journey of learning should lead to self-discovery, enabling individuals to recognize their unique qualities and what truly matters to them in life. In essence, education empowers us by helping us find our purpose and cultivate our personal growth.


"We must learn to respect the wisdom that lies within our own communities, and work together to find solutions that are rooted in our own cultures and traditions."

This quote underscores the importance of cultural self-reliance and community-led problem solving. Bunker Roy suggests that instead of imposing external solutions, we should tap into the indigenous wisdom within communities to find solutions that are contextually relevant and sustainable. In doing so, we foster respect for diverse cultures while promoting community empowerment and resilience.


"The future does not belong to those who wait for things to happen; it belongs to those who make things happen."

This quote by Bunker Roy emphasizes the importance of action over passive waiting in shaping one's future. It suggests that people who take charge, initiate actions, and create change are the ones who will ultimately determine the course of their lives and the world around them. In other words, success and a fulfilling future don't simply happen by chance; they are achieved through proactive efforts and the willingness to make things happen.


"Real development is about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity, to contribute to their communities, and to realize their full potential."

Bunker Roy's quote underscores the essence of holistic development that prioritizes human dignity, community engagement, and individual fulfillment. It suggests a worldview where equal opportunities are provided for all, enabling people not just to survive but to thrive, contributing positively to their communities and realizing their full potential as individuals. In this vision, development is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a journey of empowerment that uplifts the collective human spirit and fosters sustainable growth.


Jeff Sachs has the Millennium Villages. He spends $2.5 million in one village. It's an absolutely ridiculous model, because I've said that if you gave me $2.5 million, I can train 100 grandmothers, solar electrify 100 villages - 10,000 houses - and save you 100,000 litres of kerosene.

- Bunker Roy

Solar, Save, Millennium, Grandmothers

Who is a professional? A professional is someone who has a combination of competence, confidence and belief. A water diviner is a professional. A traditional midwife is a professional. A traditional bone setter is a professional. These are professionals all over the world. You find them in any inaccessible village around the world.

- Bunker Roy

Around, Professionals, Inaccessible

I went to a very elitist, snobbish, expensive education in India, and it almost killed me. I was all set to be a diplomat, teacher, doctor - all laid out.

- Bunker Roy

Education, Very, Laid, Diplomat

In India, I'm always 'Aruna Roy's husband.'

- Bunker Roy

Husband, India, Always, Roy

You have to be a cop-out or a wash-out or a dropout to come to our college. You have to work with your hands. You have to have a dignity of labor. You have to show that you have a skill that you can offer to the community and provide a service to the community. So we started the Barefoot College, and we redefined professionalism.

- Bunker Roy

College, Professionalism, Barefoot

You come for the money, you don't come to Barefoot College. You come for the work and the challenge, you'll come to the Barefoot College. That is where we want you to try crazy ideas. Whatever idea you have, come and try it. It doesn't matter if you fail. Battered, bruised, you start again.

- Bunker Roy

Work, College, Bruised, Barefoot

The Barefoot College is supposed to be a sparking off process. People are adopting it and owning it, which is really the story behind the college.

- Bunker Roy

College, Behind, Which, Barefoot

We have shown that solar-electrified villages can be technically and financially self-sufficient.

- Bunker Roy

Self-Sufficient, Shown, Financially

Wherever I've been, and I've been to over 20, maybe 25, countries in Africa, I've noticed how their backbone is broken. They don't have any confidence in themselves. They always think a white man will solve their problems from outside for them.

- Bunker Roy

How, Been, Maybe, Wherever

In 1965, I went to what was called the worst Bihar famine in India, and I saw starvation, death, people dying of hunger, for the first time. It changed my life. I came back home, told my mother, 'I'd like to live and work in a village.' Mother went into a coma.

- Bunker Roy

Death, My Life, Back, Starvation

School is something that you learn - reading and writing. Education is what you learn from the family, from the environment, from the community.

- Bunker Roy

Education, Environment, Community

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