Meenakshi Bharath

Indian social entrepreneur who pioneered rural education through solar-powered schools

Meenakshi Bharath's Surya Jal initiative transformed education access in India's remote regions by combining solar energy with mobile learning. Launched in 2016, this social enterprise provides solar-powered 'school-in-a-box' kits to underserved communities. Each unit contains solar panels, tablets pre-loaded with educational content, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, creating mobile classrooms for 50+ students. Over 150,000 children in 12 Indian states now benefit from this model, with 85% improvement in literacy rates reported in pilot areas. UNESCO recognized this approach as a best practice for sustainable education in 2018.

Born in 1985, Meenakshi's background in mechanical engineering (IIT Madras) and renewable energy experience led to this innovative solution. Her 'Solar School on Wheels' program uses converted buses to bring education to drought-affected regions, combining solar energy with rainwater harvesting systems. This dual focus on clean energy and education earned her the Global Women in Tech Innovation Award (2019). Collaborations with Microsoft and Solar Foundation have expanded the program's reach. Meenakshi's TEDx talk Education Powered by Sunlight has over 2 million views, inspiring similar initiatives in Kenya and Bangladesh.