Harsh Lodha grew up in South Bombay, surrounded by the city’s old charm and everyday buzz. Like many kids in the area, his days were filled with school, community life, and endless games of cricket. It was a childhood shaped by simple routines and a deep love for the sport. Though he was an introverted kid, more comfortable observing than speaking, that changed with time. Today, he finds genuine joy in connecting with people from all walks of life. Whether it’s a shop owner in a village or a fellow entrepreneur in the city, Harsh believes meaningful conversations are where real understanding—and often, the best ideas—begin.
Growing up, Harsh wasn’t particularly drawn to the traditional structure of academics. He recalls switching from the ICSE to SSC board during school—a shift that demanded adjustment and maturity. What helped him navigate those changes were the teachers who believed in him. “Good teachers make all the difference,” he says. And he means it.
There was Ms. Anupama, his economics teacher, whose methodical approach made the subject feel intuitive. And Mr. Shailesh, who made accountancy not only digestible, but surprisingly enjoyable. Those early experiences left a lasting impact—not just on his grades, but on the way he thinks and builds systems even today.
After completing his undergraduate studies in Financial Markets at Jai Hind College, Harsh took what many would consider a conventional route: a job at Motilal Oswal, a renowned financial firm. He interned for six months, stayed another six full-time. But the path didn’t sit right with him. Something was missing.
He took time off to prepare for the GMAT, planning to study abroad. But life, as it often does, had other plans. A conversation with a cousin introduced him to the concept of building an internet-based business. It was unfamiliar territory, filled with uncertainty—but also potential. Harsh decided to leap.
That was 2015. What began as a bold experiment soon became MUFT—a company aimed at making internet access free and accessible. “In the early days, we thought advertisers would fund public Wi-Fi in exchange for digital space,” Harsh remembers. They pitched the idea to marketers, government bodies, and PR firms—but traction was hard to come by.
Instead of giving up, they pivoted. They began offering software that enabled cafes to provide OTP-based Wi-Fi access to their customers. Harsh has been across every corner of Mumbai to onboard these businesses. It was unglamorous, gritty work—but it was the foundation of something much bigger.
The real shift came when MUFT moved into building rural ISPs (Internet Service Providers). Harsh became a man on a mission. He set off on a journey that spanned states—Mumbai to Indore, Gujarat to Hyderabad, Chhattisgarh to West Bengal, all the way to Arunachal Pradesh.
“In the villages, what hit me most was the stark contrast,” Harsh says. “The income gaps, the lack of access—it made me see my own privilege more clearly.” But what moved him just as deeply was something universal. “No matter the region or culture, people are generally kind. That’s what I found everywhere.”
These travels didn’t just expand his worldview—they also shaped the values that drive MUFT today. For Harsh, empathy isn’t just nice to have; it’s non-negotiable. “Kindness and honesty—they’re not just words,” he says. “They’re practices. Whether it’s with our team, partners, or clients, we make a conscious effort to lead with them.”
His reading in recent years reflects this introspective turn. He recommends Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman—especially for men—and Orwell’s 1984 for its cautionary depth. These aren’t just books; they’re lenses that help him navigate work and life.
Harsh also finds meaning in the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold, highlighting cracks rather than hiding them. “The more you break and mend,” he says, “the more valuable you become.” It’s a metaphor that fits his journey perfectly—one shaped not just by achievements, but by the lessons learned from setbacks.
His idea of success has evolved too. “What I have today is more than what I had once imagined as success,” he says. “But now, success means something deeper—being happy with where I am, growing into a better person, and continuing to create change.”
Looking ahead, Harsh’s vision is clear: to bring internet access to 10,000 villages across India. But he’s thinking beyond connectivity—to waste management, education, and better infrastructure for underserved communities. What drives him is not just the scale of the mission, but the people behind it—the stories, the struggles, and the untapped potential waiting to be seen. His passion lies in building solutions that create lasting impact, and in making sure that no one is left behind simply because of where they were born. For Harsh, this work is personal. It’s not just about technology—it’s about access, dignity, and the belief that real change begins when we start listening. And he’s just getting started.
In the small town of Guna, Madhya Pradesh, a young boy would walk to a tailoring shop every day after school—not for work alone, but for wonder. Amid the hum of sewing machines and fabric being cut, there sat a television. To the outside world, it was an ordinary screen. But to Durgesh Ojha, it was a window into possibilities. In the flicker of that screen began the quiet ignition of a lifelong fascination with technology.
Durgesh, now the Co-Founder and Technology Lead at MUFT, recalls those days vividly. “I was maybe in 5th or 6th grade. I’d go there after school, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. That TV…it made me curious. It made me dream,” he shares. Curiosity, as it turns out, was more than a trait—it became his compass.
When he was just 13, he saw a relative handling a video camera at a wedding. It wasn’t just a gadget to Durgesh—it was a marvel. He asked if he could help, and was invited along—not to hold the camera, but to observe. One wedding turned into six before he was finally handed the lens. But for Durgesh, the wait wasn’t discouraging; it was motivating.
In the early 2000s, at the recommendation of his brother, Durgesh enrolled in a computer course. Another machine. Another mystery to unravel. He dove into not just using computers, but fixing them—cracking open the black boxes that had once felt so distant.
By 2009, he launched his own cyber café and computer repair firm—Hybrid Computer Solutions. It ran decently for a year, but like most first-time ventures, it came with its own share of trials and losses. To recover, he moved to Ahmedabad for a job, stayed a year, and returned to Guna—not by design, but by chance. That return, however, became the true beginning.
He restarted his brand, and this time, struck a deal to supply computers and CCTV systems. Then in 2014, another spark lit up his path—wireless internet. It wasn’t just exciting—it was essential. In areas like Guna, internet connectivity was a luxury. And Durgesh, having lived through that scarcity, knew its value intimately.
“I didn’t just want to use the internet. I wanted to bring it to people like me, who didn’t have it. Who couldn’t afford it. Who didn’t even know where to begin,” Durgesh says.
The road was far from easy. Information was scarce, vendors unreliable, and the industry fragmented. But with persistence, he learned—piecemeal, from multiple sources. He spent money not just on infrastructure, but on knowledge. Every mistake became a mentor.
In 2015, he started providing wireless internet as a franchisee. And slowly, from small villages to surrounding districts, connectivity began to spread.
One serendipitous Google search changed everything.
In 2016, looking for software to manage a local hotspot project, Durgesh stumbled upon MUFT Internet. At the same time, Jinesh Parekh, MUFT’s co-founder, was seeking a local ISP. Their paths converged over a shared need, and the alignment was instant. They met in Guna in 2017, brainstormed, dreamed, and ultimately—merged visions.
Today, eight years later, Durgesh leads MUFT’s operations and technology with purpose and pride. “Big telcos don’t look at villages—they look at revenue. But we come from scarcity. We build because we care. Our aim is to enable micro-ISPs across the remotest parts of India. We want to bridge the digital divide, sustainably and affordably.”
His humility remains his strength. He credits his team, speaks highly of collective growth, and strongly believes in sharing knowledge. “Gatekeeping doesn’t help anyone. If I know something that can help someone else, I will always share it.”
His advice to his younger self is refreshingly simple: “Plan less. Just give your best to what you’re doing. There’s no shortcut to hard work.”
Having overcome not just technical, but cultural and linguistic barriers—like learning English to communicate better in new regions—Durgesh’s journey is a testament to how struggle sharpens character. It’s why he pushes his team, and himself, out of comfort zones constantly.
Today, he finally allows himself a balance. He’s learning to play the flute—a long-standing dream—and spends his time traveling and running when he can. “It feels good to pause now and then. To breathe.”
Durgesh Ojha’s story isn’t just about technology—it’s about tenacity. It’s about a boy in a tailoring shop who followed his fascinations into a life of purpose. And as MUFT continues to grow, connecting the unconnected, it carries with it the values of someone who didn’t wait for opportunity—but built it, one connection at a time.
Four years ago, Harsh, one of our co-founders, was visiting Ladakh and looking for a place to stay. He initially found a homestay in the Saboo region, but since it was full, the owners offered him a stay at their homestay in Stok instead. A year later, our other co-founder, Durgesh, visited the same homestay upon Harsh’s recommendation. During his visit, Durgesh noticed the challenges of internet connectivity in the region and initiated a discussion with the homestay owners about our work in providing reliable internet services. This conversation marked the beginning of our efforts to improve connectivity in Stok.
Over time, our work extended to supporting Rabzes, the daughter of the homestay owners, who became the first female ISP in Ladakh. Since then, we have provided stable internet connections to multiple homestays, hotels, and schools in Stok, addressing critical connectivity gaps.
Enhancing Education with Internet Access
Schools like Siddhartha High School and Stok Government Primary School faced challenges due to the lack of internet. Teachers were required to submit student attendance online, but without internet access, they had to leave school premises daily to find a mobile signal strong enough to complete this basic task. This was time-consuming and inefficient. With internet access now available, teachers can complete their tasks more efficiently, and students have access to online resources to support their learning.
Supporting Tourism Through Connectivity
Stok is a popular destination for travelers, including remote workers who rely on stable internet. In the past, poor connectivity made it difficult for tourists to work and for homestay owners to manage bookings and communicate with guests. With improved internet access, homestays and hotels can now cater better to visitors, helping them stay connected and extending their stays, which benefits the local economy.
Positive Impact on the Community
Reliable internet has made daily life more convenient for residents. Families can communicate more easily, businesses can operate more effectively, and students have better access to learning materials. While there is still work to be done, this initiative has been a step toward bridging the digital divide in Stok and similar remote regions.
Our goal is to continue expanding internet access to villages that have yet to experience the benefits of stable connectivity, ensuring that more communities can stay connected and grow in the digital age.
In July 2024, our team set out on a mission to connect Turtuk, a remote border village, to the digital world. The first step was a site survey—assessing the landscape, identifying potential connection points, and determining where our BTS (Base Transceiver Station) and main hub would be placed. Homestays, hospitals, and key community spaces were marked as priority locations for connectivity.
The challenge was clear—Turtuk’s existing internet infrastructure was unreliable. BSNL’s fiber-based network, the only available option, could take a week or more to restore when damaged. With no local engineers, repairs meant waiting for a technician from Leh, hours away. Power sources for the BTS were also scarce, making infrastructure planning even more critical.
In August, we returned, this time with hardware in hand. The mission had gained local support—residents eager for connectivity helped spread the word. Crucially, our approach was different. Unlike fiber, which was prone to breakage and long downtimes, we introduced a wireless network, offering stability and ease of maintenance. The region’s extreme weather made traditional subscription management cumbersome—pausing a connection required a trip to Leh just to submit a form. A better system was needed.
As installations began, momentum built. Connections went live, and demand grew. But by October, Turtuk began to wind down for the winter, with many residents temporarily relocating to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Leh.
Our work didn’t stop at Turtuk. Nearby, in Tyakshi, we discovered another BTS, presenting an opportunity to extend our network. A P2P (Point-to-Point) axis was established, bringing internet to four homestays in the village. Even beyond Turtuk, smaller communities remained disconnected.
One such village was Puchathang, accessible only via a rugged trek. With no roads leading in, our team hiked through challenging terrain to complete a site survey. The need was clear, and so was our mission—to ensure that this year, even Puchathang gets connected.
As we look ahead to summer 2025, the goal remains the same: bridging the digital divide, one village at a time.
“Oh, are you an electrician?” “What is this Wi-Fi business?” “Do you even make money doing this?” “How come you are doing this work as a girl?” These are just some of the common remarks Rabzes hears as she forges a new path in Ladakh’s digital landscape. But rather than letting these comments deter her, she embraces them as markers of the change she is driving.
Rabzes is Ladakh’s first female Internet Service Provider (ISP), leading the charge in bringing connectivity to the region’s most remote villages. Her journey has been anything but conventional, marked by perseverance, learning, and a passion for breaking stereotypes.
A Childhood of Curiosity and Learning
Growing up in Stok, Rabzes spent her childhood playing ‘teacher-teacher’ after school. Later, when she moved to Skalzangling in grade seven, she had better access to coaching centers, particularly for math and science. Though she had a laptop at home, the internet remained an unknown entity. Her first exposure to a laptop came through a tenant, as she had only seen computers in school. Driven by curiosity, she pleaded with her father, who was traveling to Delhi for business, to bring her one.
The Early Days of Internet Discovery
Rabzes first encountered Facebook in ninth grade, accessing it at a cyber café with her friends—a ritual that quickly became a daily routine after school. Phones were a rarity, and she received her first one in tenth grade, though without a SIM card. By the time she reached eleventh and twelfth grade, her focus shifted entirely to academics at her boarding school, where devices were not allowed. Determined to secure a place in a good university, she immersed herself in her studies.
A New Path in Taiwan
After completing high school, Rabzes pursued commerce in Delhi while simultaneously studying Chinese at DU. She had always envisioned herself studying in China or Taiwan. Although obtaining a Chinese visa proved difficult, she successfully secured one for Taiwan. However, delays in receiving graduation documents forced her to postpone her plans. Finally, in December 2019, she arrived in Taiwan, where she pursued an MBA while working part-time at an Indian restaurant and later as a teacher.
Finding Purpose in Connectivity
Upon returning to India, Rabzes continued working remotely in education, but she couldn’t ignore the persistent lack of internet access in her homeland. Her father, already acquainted with Durgesh, a founder of Hybrid Internet, saw an opportunity for collaboration. Inspired by the idea, Rabzes partnered with Hybrid Internet to expand its services in Ladakh, beginning with Stok and Saboo. In the following year, she fully committed herself to the mission.
Despite initial skepticism and gender biases, she immersed herself in the technical aspects of wireless connections. She encountered challenges, particularly in Shey, where inconsistent signal strength made traditional wireless solutions ineffective. Determined to find a solution, she learned fiber-optic connections from her engineer within two days, successfully bringing stable connectivity to the area.
Transforming Ladakh’s Digital Landscape
One of her most impactful projects was in Hanley, a village entirely cut off from the internet. The gratitude of the villagers upon receiving connectivity reaffirmed her purpose. Additionally, her expertise caught the attention of Oberoi Grand Hotel, which onboarded her for their Leh location—a major milestone in her career.
Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change
Rabzes’ journey is a testament to the power of determination and breaking stereotypes. She believes that no job is too big or small, and that gender should never define one’s career choices. Her advice to young people is simple: if you are capable and determined, no barrier—technical or societal—can hold you back.
Through her work, she is not only bridging Ladakh’s digital divide but also inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in technology. Rabzes is living proof that with vision, hard work, and resilience, unconventional dreams can become reality.
