BUNKER ROY: LIFE AND LEGACY | Sowmen Mitter
🟥 The passing of Sanjit “Bunker” Roy marks the end of a pivotal chapter in India’s grassroots development movement, yet his legacy leaves behind an enduring blueprint for rural self-reliance. Born into privilege on July 2, 1945, Roy attended the prestigious Doon School in Dehradun and later earned his Master’s degree in English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, in 1967. A national-level squash player who represented India in international tournaments, Roy possessed every advantage required to pursue a high-profile urban career. Instead, a series of transformative events led him to dedicate over five decades of his life to empowering rural India's most marginalized communities. 🟥 A Crucible of Conviction: Roy’s life trajectory shifted radically during the severe Bihar famine of 1966. As a student volunteer distributing relief, he witnessed acute hunger and poverty firsthand. The experience exposed a profound disconnect between formal higher education and th...