Santosh Choubey, a man of many talents and a visionary leader, has left an indelible mark on various facets of life. Let's explore the rich tapestry of his life, encompassing personal milestones, educational journey, entrepreneurial ventures, literary pursuits, and his passion for preserving cultural traditions.
Santosh Choubey was born on 22 September 1955 in Khandwa, a town in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Santosh Choubey embarked on a remarkable journey that began with his schooling at Govt. School Khandwa. His insatiable quest for knowledge led him to earn a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the prestigious Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (NIT, Bhopal). This foundation in engineering paved the way for his subsequent career choices.
Mr. Choubey's life took a fascinating turn when he was selected into the Indian Engineering Services in 1976 and later into the Indian Civil Services in 1981. However, he decided to forfeit these coveted positions to pursue his dream of democratizing Information Technology in rural communities, particularly in Hindi and other regional languages. His passion for science, society, and developmental issues led him to become a founding member of the Delhi Science Forum in New Delhi, a Science and Technology policy planning NGO.
Santosh Choubey's journey reached a turning point while in New Delhi when he co-founded the Delhi Science Forum, a Science and Technology policy planning NGO. This endeavor deepened his passion for Science, Society, and Developmental issues. It was here that the seeds of AISECT were sown.
The concept of AISECT (Society for Electronics and Computer Technology) began to take shape in Mr. Choubey's mind during the early 1980s. Recognizing that more than 90% of India's population had limited exposure to the technological advancements sweeping urban India and the developed world, he foresaw the significance of language, accessibility, and a self-sustainable model for rural and social development through ICT. In 1985, he, along with like-minded individuals, founded SECT, later rechristened as AISECT in 1997.
The blueprint laid by AISECT contributed significantly to the formulation of the Government of India’s National e-Governance plan.
Today, AISECT stands as India's leading Education, Training, Skill Development, Services, and e-Governance network. With over 20,000 centers spread across 27 States and 3 Union Territories, it has educated over 16 lakh students, primarily in semi-urban and rural areas. Many of these students have found successful employment or embarked on entrepreneurial journeys with AISECT’s handholding.
Santosh Choubey's visionary leadership extended into diverse areas, including Education, Vocational Training, Skill Development, e-Governance, Financial Inclusion, UID Services, Online Learning, Pre-schools, Schools, and related services. He was instrumental in establishing leading educational institutions in Central India, including Dr. C. V. Raman University in Chhattisgarh, the first private university in Central India, and AISECT University in Bhopal.
Notably, he is also a prolific writer and poet in Hindi literature. His first book on Computers in Hindi, "Computer Aapke Liye," garnered widespread acclaim and awards, cementing his reputation as a literary luminary. He authored several books of short stories and novels, further contributing to the world of Hindi literature.
Santosh Choubey's exemplary dedication and leadership have garnered numerous prestigious awards:
Santosh Choubey is not alone in his endeavors. He shares his life journey with his wife, Vinita Choubey, who serves as the Editor of "Electroniki Aapke Liye," a leading Hindi Science and Electronics magazine. Their children, Siddharth and Pallavi, both Management Graduates from SPJIMR Mumbai, actively lead various initiatives within the organization. Santosh and Vinita's daughter, Aditi, along with her husband Nitin, work at AISECT and play significant roles within the organization. Both of them are Rural Management graduates from IRMA Anand, holding key positions within the organization.
