Bhavna Kaushik

Pioneer in digital empowerment for rural India through innovative internet access initiatives

Bhavna Kaushik is the founder of the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), a nonprofit organization established in 2002 that has transformed the lives of millions in rural India through digital literacy and internet access. Her visionary approach to using technology as a tool for social change has made DEF a leader in India's digital inclusion movement.

Working closely with marginalized communities, Kaushik developed the PANI initiative, creating internet kiosks powered by solar energy in remote villages. These centers now serve as hubs for education, healthcare access, and economic opportunities. DEF's Gram Marg program has trained over 50,000 rural women as digital mentors, empowering them to become change agents in their communities.

Her work has been recognized globally through awards like the 2017 UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy. Kaushik's innovations continue to inspire similar projects worldwide, proving that technology can be a powerful force for equity when paired with grassroots community engagement.