Prashant Chaudhary, an alumnus of IIT Delhi, is addressing the challenges faced by rural students in India regarding access to technology education. His initiative, the CodeYogi Foundation, seeks to provide coding and artificial intelligence (AI) education to students who lack computers, laboratories, and qualified teachers. This effort has garnered him the fifth Rohini Nayyar Prize, which includes a cash award of Rs 10 lakh, alongside a trophy and citation.

The foundation’s mission is to empower young individuals from underserved communities by equipping them with practical skills in technology and AI, irrespective of their financial circumstances or the availability of conventional educational resources.

Chaudhary’s Journey to Technology Education

Chaudhary’s foray into technology education began in 2014, when he started teaching in unconventional spaces such as rooftops and corridors, wherever he could find an internet connection. A significant moment in his journey involved a school dropout who, despite lacking a laptop and relying solely on a basic smartphone, demonstrated remarkable learning capabilities. This experience highlighted the barriers faced by young learners and informed Chaudhary’s approach to education.

Before founding CodeYogi, Chaudhary established CodeKamp, a coding bootcamp, and DevsLane, a product engineering company. His focus gradually shifted towards making technology education accessible to those in need. In December 2019, he launched the CodeYogi Foundation to create a learning environment that does not depend on expensive infrastructure.

Making AI Learning Accessible Through CodeYogi

The CodeYogi Foundation operates on the principle that a smartphone and an internet connection are sufficient for technology education. Its AI-powered platform is designed to function on basic family smartphones and employs Indian languages along with practical learning methodologies. Students are not required to have personal computers, specialised labs, or proficiency in English to participate in the programme.

Initially concentrating on coding, the initiative has expanded to include AI literacy and other vital skills. Chaudhary stated that the programme has evolved into a 30-day applied AI fluency course, where students engage with real AI tools relevant to their studies and daily lives. Over the past three years, the foundation has reached more than 3.5 lakh students across nine states, covering 30 per cent of India’s geographical area.

In addition to coding and AI, the foundation is developing tools for spoken English that incorporate storytelling, animated videos, and voice recognition. The overarching goal is to prepare students from underserved backgrounds for careers in technology, regardless of their academic stream or geographical location.

Recognition Through the Rohini Nayyar Prize

The Rohini Nayyar Prize was established in 2022 to honour Dr Rohini Nayyar, a prominent economist and advocate for rural development in India. This annual award acknowledges significant contributions to the sector and is presented by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purpose, founded by her family to promote social and economic development.

Previous awardees include individuals from various states, highlighting a diverse range of contributions to rural development. The foundation’s leadership features notable figures, including Deepak Nayyar, Emeritus Professor of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Dhiraj Nayyar, Director at Vedanta Resources.

Chaudhary’s journey, from being the first person in his village to enter an IIT to making technology education accessible to numerous students, exemplifies the transformative power of opportunity. The CodeYogi Foundation aims to reach one million learners, striving to ensure that location, financial status, or resource availability does not hinder a student’s potential in the technology sector.

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