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.
Imagine standing amidst the breathtaking serenity of the Himalayas—snow-capped peaks glistening in the sun, the crisp mountain air invigorating your spirit. Now, imagine this serenity marred by something entirely unnatural: discarded plastic bottles, wrappers, and waste, scattered across the pristine landscape. This is the stark reality in many mountainous regions today. But at Jhamtse Gatsal, a community and school nestled in the remote Himalayan village of Lumla, Arunachal Pradesh, something remarkable is taking shape.
A Vision Beyond Education
Jhamtse Gatsal, which means “Garden of Compassion” in Tibetan, is more than just a school—it is a thriving community built on the pillars of love, compassion, and sustainability. While the school provides its students with a robust academic foundation, it goes beyond conventional education by instilling a deep respect for the environment. In this idyllic yet vulnerable setting, the community faces a modern menace: plastic waste. The lack of proper waste disposal systems in the region has exacerbated the issue, making innovation and action not just desirable but necessary.
From Problem to Opportunity: Tackling Plastic Waste
The journey began with a simple yet profound question: What if the waste we produce could be repurposed into something valuable? The community at Jhamtse Gatsal embraced this challenge, transforming it into an opportunity to educate, innovate, and inspire. They established a plastic recycling initiative that integrates environmental consciousness into the daily lives of students and staff.
The initiative collects plastic waste from the school, surrounding villages, and even nearby government schools, where students are encouraged to gather plastic and bring it to Jhamtse Gatsal for recycling. This collaborative effort not only addresses the waste issue but also spreads awareness about the importance of recycling in preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The Art of Repurposing: Creativity Meets Sustainability
What happens to the collected plastic? This is where Jhamtse Gatsal’s ingenuity shines. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors, students learn to transform plastic waste into usable and creative products. Old plastic bottles are turned into plant holders, wrappers become woven mats, and other discarded materials find new life as decorative or practical items.
For instance, students craft bricks from compressed plastic waste, which are then used in construction projects. These bricks are durable, cost-effective, and a testament to the potential of turning trash into treasure. By engaging students in this hands-on process, the school teaches them that even the smallest efforts can contribute to solving big problems.
Ripple Effects: A Community Transformed
The impact of Jhamtse Gatsal’s recycling practices extends far beyond the boundaries of its campus. Surrounding communities are increasingly inspired to adopt similar practices, reducing their reliance on single-use plastics and rethinking waste management. Government school children who once disposed of plastic waste indiscriminately now actively participate in collecting and repurposing it.
The students at Jhamtse Gatsal emerge not just as environmentally conscious individuals but as change-makers who carry the message of sustainability wherever they go. The initiative has become a blueprint for how education, community action, and environmental stewardship can coexist harmoniously.
A Lesson for the World
Jhamtse Gatsal’s efforts underscore a powerful lesson: environmental challenges, no matter how daunting, can be met with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. In turning waste into worth, this Himalayan community has shown that solutions to even the most pressing problems can emerge when people work together with purpose.
As we marvel at their success, let’s ask ourselves: What can we learn from Jhamtse Gatsal’s example? How can we, in our own lives, turn waste into worth and make the world a cleaner, greener place?
The answer, as Jhamtse Gatsal teaches us, lies in the transformative power of small, consistent actions. With a little innovation and a lot of heart, we can all become stewards of our planet.
On a crisp morning in Turtuk, a village perched at the edge of India, we stumbled upon a group of children laughing by a brook. They were splashing water, their faces alight with mischief, as if untouched by the challenges of their remote home. Their laughter was infectious, but beneath it lay a story of challenges, perseverance, and dreams tethered to an unsteady educational foundation.
When we asked these young learners about school, their answers were candid and thought-provoking. One common thread emerged: consistency.
The Struggle for Stability
Turtuk’s schools rely heavily on volunteer teachers, which brings passion and diversity but also creates a significant hurdle—frequent teacher turnover. As educators come and go, students must adapt to new teaching styles, often within the same academic year. It’s like resetting their learning journey repeatedly, leaving gaps in their understanding and stability.
For these children, textbooks in Hindi—a language they’re still mastering—pose an additional challenge. With limited access to resources, the classroom often becomes the only place they can attempt to make sense of unfamiliar words and concepts. But what happens when they don’t understand something during the lesson? Who do they turn to when the teacher is no longer around?
A Bridge Called the Internet
In our conversation, their wish was simple yet profound: access to the internet. They didn’t dream of games or entertainment; they dreamed of learning. They saw the internet as a tool to revisit lessons, seek explanations in Hindi, and build a solid foundation for their studies.
“If we had the internet,” one child said shyly, “we could find videos that explain our lessons better. If we don’t understand what the teacher says, we can learn it again.”
For them, the internet represents consistency in a world of constant change. It’s a bridge to revisit forgotten lessons, a tutor to clarify confusion, and a mentor that doesn’t leave. With online access, they could learn at their own pace, returning to concepts until they feel confident.
Education Beyond Borders
Turtuk’s story is a reminder of the power of connectivity. For these children, the internet isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifeline to stable, consistent education. It’s a way to overcome the barriers of language and geography. It’s an opportunity to dream beyond the confines of a remote village.
Imagine a world where a child in Turtuk, after struggling to understand a chapter in a Hindi textbook, could watch an engaging video that breaks it down step by step. Imagine a teacher thousands of miles away inspiring a love for science in a classroom they’ve never set foot in. Imagine the collective dreams of Turtuk’s children taking flight, powered by the endless possibilities of online learning.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Turtuk’s children showed us something we often forget: the internet isn’t just about convenience—it’s about equity. Their desire for connectivity isn’t driven by frivolity but by a hunger to learn, to grow, and to keep pace with the rest of the world.
As we walked away from the brook that day, the kids waved, their laughter echoing in the mountain air. But their voices stayed with us, a poignant reminder of why we do what we do. Bridging the digital divide isn’t just about technology; it’s about giving children like those in Turtuk a fair chance to rewrite their futures.
Let’s work to make their dreams a reality. One connection at a time
“Can a remote school in the Himalayas, tucked away from modern conveniences, truly connect with the world?”
This question lingered as we received an email from Manjushree Vidyapith, a humble yet transformative school in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Their challenge? Stable internet connectivity—a hurdle that restricted their operations, including maintaining contact with international donors who sustain much of their work.
Manjushree Vidyapith, a sanctuary for orphans, destitute, and physically challenged children, stands as a beacon of hope in one of India’s most remote regions. For over 25 years, the school has nurtured its students’ spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social growth. Despite limited resources, they’ve empowered children to become contributing members of society. Yet, their efforts were stymied by the absence of reliable internet, a necessity in today’s interconnected world.
Tawang, a remote district perched at over 10,000 feet, faces significant educational challenges. According to reports, Arunachal Pradesh has a literacy rate of 65.38%, well below the national average of 77.7%. Factors like difficult terrain, lack of infrastructure, and limited resources mean that many children in Tawang and similar regions have restricted access to quality education. The situation worsens when digital learning—now an integral part of modern education—remains out of reach for most schools.
The Journey to Connection
Our journey began in November 2020, traveling over 2,500 kilometers from Maharashtra to Tawang. The roads twisted through towering cliffs and icy passes, every turn emphasizing the isolation of this region. Upon reaching Manjushree, the scale of the challenge became clear.
The school, surrounded by the rugged Himalayas, had no mobile network, let alone internet connectivity. Even conducting our feasibility survey—a task requiring basic connectivity—proved difficult. We set up temporary shop in a small café in the town center, the only place with a faint internet signal.
Hours of work followed, testing, recalculating, and reimagining how to bring stable connectivity to the school. The task was daunting. In regions like these, conventional solutions like satellite internet are fraught with issues—frequent cloud cover disrupts signals, speeds are inconsistent, and maintenance is nearly impossible without local support teams.
Our plan was ambitious but grounded: a wireless network leveraging a fiber-optic-connected tower nearby. But wireless technology in such terrain comes with its own hurdles—it requires a clear line of sight between connection points. Identifying these points amidst snow-covered peaks and dense forests was like finding needles in a haystack.
Yet, after meticulous planning and countless cups of tea, we identified a potential link: a mountain peak offering a direct line of sight to the school. It was a small victory on a journey filled with uncertainty.
Making the Impossible Possible
Five months later, we returned with equipment in hand and hope in our hearts. Setting up the infrastructure tested every ounce of our determination. Hiking through steep trails, battling freezing temperatures, and troubleshooting technical challenges in real time—each step was a reminder of the sheer remoteness of Manjushree.
But finally, the connection came to life. The first test email sent from the school was a milestone that reverberated far beyond the walls of Manjushree Vidyapith.
The Transformative Impact
Connectivity has redefined what is possible for the Manjushree community:
Revolutionizing Education Students now have access to online educational tools, virtual classrooms, and resources that were previously beyond their reach. Concepts like coding, virtual experiments, and global collaborations have entered their curriculum, opening doors to opportunities that seemed unimaginable just a year ago.
Strengthening Donor Relations With stable internet, the school can communicate seamlessly with its international donors, ensuring continued financial and operational support. The transparency and ease of communication have strengthened these relationships, securing the school’s future.
Empowering Teachers and Administration Teachers now utilize digital teaching aids, enriching the learning experience. Administrative tasks, from student records to resource management, have become more efficient, allowing the staff to focus more on their mission.
Building Global Connections The internet has brought the world to Manjushree. Students watch documentaries, participate in global conversations, and dream bigger dreams. It’s not just connectivity; it’s a lifeline to hope and inspiration.
Beyond Technology: A Lesson in Humanity
This project wasn’t just about installing equipment; it was about bridging gaps—technological, geographical, and societal. Manjushree taught us that the challenges of remote connectivity are not just logistical but deeply human.
The school’s spirit of compassion and resilience left an indelible mark on us. Their dedication to nurturing children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, despite limited resources, exemplifies the kind of determination that moves mountains—sometimes literally.
In turn, we were reminded of the profound responsibility we carry in our work. Internet connectivity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental enabler of equality and opportunity.
A Brighter Future
Today, Manjushree Vidyapith stands as a shining example of what’s possible when technology meets purpose. The school’s journey from isolation to integration is a testament to the power of collective effort and the transformative potential of connectivity.
As we reflect on this project, we’re not just proud of the technical success but deeply grateful for the human connections it fostered. The internet at Manjushree isn’t just a tool; it’s a bridge to a brighter, more inclusive future for every child who calls this school home.
The story of Manjushree Vidyapith is a reminder: No place is too remote, and no challenge is insurmountable when driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to dream, connect, and thrive.
