IIT Delhi Alumnus Brings Coding to Rural India
Prashant Chaudhary, an IIT Delhi graduate from Uttar Pradesh, is using his CodeYogi Foundation to provide technology education to students in rural India. The initiative, which began in 2014, has reached over 3.5 lakh students across nine states and 120 districts.
Early Inspiration
Chaudhary’s journey began with a school dropout who demonstrated a strong aptitude for learning despite lacking access to a computer. This experience highlighted the barriers faced by young learners and shaped his approach to technology education.
CodeYogi’s Approach
The CodeYogi Foundation’s model focuses on utilizing basic smartphones and internet connections to deliver technology and AI skills. The initiative’s AI-powered learning platform offers a 30-day applied AI fluency programme, utilizing real-world AI tools for practical applications. Currently, the foundation is expanding its offerings to include spoken English learning tools.
Reaching a Wide Audience
In the last three years, CodeYogi has impacted over 3.5 lakh students, covering 30% of India’s geographical area. The foundation’s goal is to reach one million learners.
The Rohini Nayyar Prize
Prashant Chaudhary received the fifth Rohini Nayyar Prize for his contribution to rural development. The prize, carrying a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, recognizes individuals making significant contributions to the sector. The award is presented by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purpose, established by Dr Rohini Nayyar.
Foundation Directors
The directors of the Nayyar Foundation include Deepak Nayyar, Dhiraj Nayyar, and Gaurav Nayyar.
Future Goals
CodeYogi’s ambition is to ensure that a student’s location, financial background, or access to resources does not limit their opportunities in the world of technology.
Source: India Today. Featured image credit: India Today.
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