Small-Town Teacher Brings Digital Skills to Rural India

In Sarwat, a small town in India's Muzaffarnagar district, Sachin Kumar noticed something missing. Students who wanted to learn basic computer skills had to travel far from home, and many simply couldn't afford the time or money.

So Kumar decided to fill that gap himself. Armed with a software certification and a vision, he launched a modest computer coaching center in January 2025 with just one laptop.

His timing was perfect. Kumar discovered a government program called the CM YUVA Yojana that offers interest-free loans to young entrepreneurs without requiring a guarantor. For someone with skills but no capital, it changed everything.

After applying and completing the verification process, Kumar received funding that transformed his one-laptop operation into a proper training facility. He purchased multiple computers, installed internet connectivity, and set up cameras and other essential equipment.

The center now teaches 30 to 40 students foundational skills like Hindi and English typing, internet basics, cyber security awareness, and popular software like Tally. What started as three or four curious learners has grown into a steady stream of students eager for digital literacy.

Kumar never held a formal job. Fresh out of college with computer training under his belt, he chose entrepreneurship over employment from the start. His gamble is paying off in ways that extend beyond his own success.

The Ripple Effect

As enrollment grew, Kumar began hiring some of his own students for small roles within the center. They assist with daily tasks while gaining real-world experience, creating a cycle where learning leads directly to opportunity.

In a region where structured computer education was essentially nonexistent, Kumar's center represents more than skill-building. It's proof that when young people get access to capital without crushing debt, they can create solutions their communities desperately need.

Kumar puts it simply: "Young people have skills, but they don't have money." His center shows what happens when that barrier disappears.

From a single laptop to a functioning institute, Kumar's journey has been gradual and deliberate. For the students of Sarwat, it means they no longer have to leave home to build a digital future.