Empowering Hilly Horizons: The WiFi Revolution in Ramgarh by Mr. Sanjay Bisht

Feb 19
3 min read

Moved by the struggles students faced in accessing online education, Sanjay Bisht from Ramgarh in Nainital district decided to take action. Ramgarh, often known as the fruit bowl of Kumaun, is more than just a scenic town to him. It is home. He grew up among its mountains, deeply connected to the landscape and community that shaped him.

Coming from a modest household in Ramgarh, Sanjay grew up deeply connected to the mountains that shaped him. He values time spent with friends and family and carries a deep respect for the hills he calls home. However, limited employment opportunities in the village eventually led him to migrate in search of work.

After completing his schooling in Ramgarh, Sanjay found employment with a broadband company in Haldwani, where he worked on the service team. At the time, he did not realise that this experience would lay the foundation for a venture that would later transform both his life and his community.

The Connectivity Gap in Ramgarh

Located about 40 kilometres from Nainital, Ramgarh may seem geographically close to a popular tourist hub, yet it faces a stark difference in digital access. While internet facilities were more readily available in Nainital, Ramgarh continued to struggle with limited connectivity.

The COVID period intensified this gap. With education, communication, and essential services shifting online, the lack of reliable internet became a serious challenge. Students struggled to attend online classes, and families found it difficult to stay connected with loved ones.

Through his experience in the broadband sector, Sanjay understood that WiFi connectivity could address this issue. However, the hilly terrain of Ramgarh made infrastructure development complex and expensive. Setting up towers required significant resources, and seeking government intervention could involve long waiting periods.

Rather than wait, Sanjay chose to act. In January 2022, with the support of his friend Pankaj Joshi, he pooled his savings to establish the first WiFi centre in Ramgarh. Their determination and willingness to take risks became the driving force behind bringing reliable internet access to the town.

Journey with Margshala

Sanjay’s association with Margshala began even before he founded Khojshala in 2021. Introduced to the programme by a friend, he attended initial sessions and gained valuable exposure to the world of entrepreneurship. After establishing his shop, he joined the nine-month Swarozgar Fellowship, designed to support young entrepreneurs in the hills with practical knowledge and business skills. The programme included both online and offline learning components and provided structured mentorship.

Through interactions with mentors including Jasmeet, Tanuj, and Shambhavi, Sanjay strengthened different aspects of his business. He learned the importance of maintaining detailed financial records, including tracking small daily expenses, which improved clarity in his accounts. He also developed a more organised approach to managing his service centre and learned how to create banners and promotional materials to strengthen his local presence.

Exposure to online marketing further expanded his perspective on business growth and long-term sustainability. Alongside technical and managerial skills, he gained confidence through public interactions and by engaging with fellow entrepreneurs. These exchanges fostered motivation and helped him view entrepreneurship as a shared and evolving journey.

Growth and Expansion

After completing the nine-month Fellowship, Sanjay began actively applying his learning. He not only strengthened his own business systems but also encouraged around 10 to 15 other entrepreneurs to join Margshala.

His WiFi services have now expanded to more than 50 locations, including government departments, schools, restaurants, and the local agriculture office. He is currently exploring partnerships with other broadband companies interested in collaboration and continues to research new technologies to improve his services. Driven by a strong commitment to serving the mountain community, Sanjay plans to expand into nearby towns and extend connectivity to more underserved areas.

Sanjay expresses deep gratitude to Margshala for helping him strengthen his direction and approach as an entrepreneur. With continued learning and persistence, he remains committed to serving his community and expanding opportunities for others.

In his words, “Thank you, Margshala, for changing my life.”