IIT Delhi alumnus wins Rohini Nayyar Prize for rural technology education
Prashant Chaudhary received the award for his CodeYogi Foundation initiative which teaches coding and AI using smartphones.
Prashant Chaudhary, an IIT Delhi graduate, has been awarded the fifth Rohini Nayyar Prize for his work in rural development through the CodeYogi Foundation. The award includes a trophy, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
The CodeYogi Foundation provides technology and artificial intelligence (AI) education to students in underserved communities. The initiative uses basic smartphones and internet connections to teach skills without the need for personal computers, laboratories, or English proficiency.
Chaudhary stated that the programme has reached more than 3.5 lakh students across 120 districts and nine states in the last three years. He noted that the model now includes a 30-day programme where students apply AI tools to tasks relevant to their studies and families.
The foundation, established in December 2019, is also creating tools for learning spoken English through voice recognition and animated videos. Chaudhary aims to reach one million learners to ensure geographical or financial backgrounds do not limit technology career opportunities.
The Rohini Nayyar Prize was instituted in 2022 by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purpose. It recognises individuals making significant contributions to rural development in India.