Santosh Choubey

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Santosh Choubey
Born22 September 1955 (age 6970)
Alma mater Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (NIT, Bhopal)
Occupation(s) social entrepreneur, Founder and Chairman, AISECT group, Chancellor AISECT group of universities
Known forSocial Enterprise, AISECT, NGO, Literature
SpouseVineeta Choubey
ChildrenOne son (Siddhartha Chaturvedi) and one daughter (Aditi Chaturvedi)
Awards Senior Ashoka Fellow
Website santoshchoubey.com

Santosh Choubey is an poet,writer, Indian social entrepreneur and educationalist. He founded the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology (AISECT) in 1985. He is chairman of AISECT and chancellor of the Rabindranath Tagore University. AISECT focuses on education, skills training, vocational education, financial and digital services in rural and semi-urban areas of India.

Contents

Early life and education

Born in 1955 in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Santosh Choubey did his schooling from Government School Khandwa and completed his education with a bachelor's degree in electronics and telecommunication Engineering from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (NIT, Bhopal). Consequently, he also got selected into the Indian Engineering Services (1976) and the Indian Civil Services (1981). He made the decision of forgoing the civil services and pursuing his interest in the areas of Science and Technology and joined Bharat Electronics Limited (New Delhi). Later on, he worked with IDBI as a consultant in Bhopal. [1] [2] [3]

Initiatives and Work

AISECT developed a model of community-based centres operated by local entrepreneurs. These centres provided digital literacy, vocational education, and IT-enabled services. [4]

The initiative expanded access to skills training, education, and employment opportunities in villages and small towns. Over time, AISECT also became involved in higher education, skill development programs, and e-governance initiatives. [5]

Skill Development

AISECT has been actively striving towards filling the skill gap in India. The Kaushal Vikas Yatra, carried out in 22 states, 300 districts, and 500+ schools and colleges, has generated humongous awareness about the need for skilling and career prospects among youth. Building on this surge, the 6th edition of Kaushal Charcha has been successfully conducted, enhancing national-level discourse on employability, entrepreneurship, and the future of work.

Financial Inclusion

With its vision to bring banking to the last mile, AISECT has been a stride ahead in the field of financial inclusion. With 7,000+ bank kiosks, 2,800+ bank branches connected with kiosks, and 1.07 crore+ bank accounts opened, the project has provided safe and trustworthy financial services to rural and semi-urban India, making it possible for millions to become a part of the formal banking system.

Employments & Livelihoods

AISECT has become a forerunner employment-generation platform with its flagship program Rojgar Mantra. Today, the network has 20 lakh+ professionals, 1,500+ registered employers and organizations, and 200+ permanent staffing clients. The program has shortlisted 2 lakh+ candidates, organized 700+ Rojgar Melas, and covered 85+ districts in 18 Indian states in all these years, thus providing meaningful livelihood opportunities to young people throughout the nation.

Impact

AISECT has established an extensive network of centres in rural India. [6] The organisation is recognised for contributing to digital literacy and livelihood creation in underserved areas. [7]

Career

He founded All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology (AISECT) in 1985. [8] The organisation became a registered society in 1997. [2] [9]

Awards

For his work in Literature & Skilling he has received multiple awards like :

References

  1. Sonali Acharjee (29 August 2014). "Technology is at the heart of empowered India, says Santosh Choubey". India Today.
  2. 1 2 Godbole, Pravda (12 April 2011). "Q&A: Santosh Choubey, Founder, AISECT" via Business Standard.
  3. https://vbs.ves.ac.in/images/Social_Business_Day-_2022_2_Speakers.pdfArchived+29+June+2023+at+the+Wayback+Machine
  4. "AISECT centres drive rural digital literacy". The Hindu.
  5. "From computer literacy to higher education: The expansion of AISECT". The Economic Times.
  6. "AISECT network reaches rural India". NDTV.
  7. "Empowering villages through technology: The AISECT model". Outlook.
  8. "Case study" (PDF). www.undp.org. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  9. Sharma, Jeet. "Winning Stroke: Interview With Santosh Kumar Choubey, Founder AISECT". BW Businessworld.
  10. "Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, India - 2010". Jubilant Bhartia Foundation.
  11. "Ashoka Fellowship".
  12. "Vatayan Lifetime Achievement Award 2023". Bhaskar.