Bunker Roy: key obituary facts
Is Bunker Roy dead? Yes. Bunker Roy died on November 10, 2026, at age 81.
Cause of death: Bunker Roy's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Bunker Roy known for?
He was an Indian social activist.
More about Bunker Roy
Born: 2 August 1945.
Place of birth: Burnpur.
Gender: male.
Occupation: activist, squash player, manager, public figure, pedagogue, social entrepreneur.
Nationality: India, British Raj.
Education: St. Stephen's College, The Doon School.
Awards: Padma Shri in Social work, Jamnalal Bajaj Award, St Andrews Prize for the Environment.
Spouse: Aruna Roy.
Occupations: Social activist & founder of Barefoot College.
Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, the Indian educationist and founder of the Barefoot College, died in Tilonia, Rajasthan, on November 10, 2026, aged 81.
Born in Burnpur on June 30, 1945, he attended The Doon School, where he was a contemporary of Rajiv Gandhi, and later studied at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi from 1962 to 1967.
Before becoming known for his social work, Roy had a career in squash: he won the Indian national championship in 1965 and represented India at three world squash championships. Roy founded the Barefoot College and became known for his work in educating illiterate and semi-literate rural Indians. In 2010, Time selected him as one of its 100 most influential personalities, recognizing that work. The Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1986; President Giani Zail Singh presented the honor. Roy also received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award and the St Andrews Prize for the Environment. His career spanned competitive sport and education, with the Barefoot College and its focus on rural communities forming the central part of his public work.