'From Guna to Bharat': MP youth who once earned Rs 5 per piece now brings internet to places Airtel, Jio haven’t reached

Durgesh Ojha, who grew up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh, earning just a few rupees per task, now runs an internet services company connecting some of India’s most remote regions, areas where even major telecom players like Airtel and Jio have limited or no reach. His journey, reported by HT, captures how early struggles, hands-on skills, and persistence helped him build a business that now earns him Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh every month.

He Started Working At A Very Young Age

Ojha’s story begins in Guna, where financial constraints shaped his childhood. His father worked as a carpenter, and the family had limited income. As a schoolboy, Ojha started looking for ways to contribute.

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In Class 5, he began helping a neighbourhood tailor. What started as small errands soon turned into learning actual skills. “I learned how to sew on buttons, stitch buttonholes, etc," he said.

By the time he reached Class 10, he was stitching full garments like shirts and trousers. The earnings were small, Rs 5 for shirts and Rs 10 for trousers, but steady enough to support himself, especially during wedding seasons when work increased.

Computers Changed His Direction

A turning point came when Ojha was introduced to computers. In Class 8, he enrolled in a basic course at a training centre in Guna after his elder brother suggested it.

He quickly developed a strong interest. “Mujhe computer chalane mein bahut maza aata tha. Ye vo pehli kaksha thi jahan pe main time se pahunchta tha," he said.

After several ups and down, in 2014, Ojha came across the concept of wireless internet services, which sparked a new interest.

“I was curious and wanted to do something internet related," he said.

After researching and speaking to people in the field, he decided to pivot. In April 2015, he rebranded his company as Hybrid Internet and focused entirely on providing internet services.

What His Company Does Today

Ojha’s company operates as a WiFi provider, but with a clear focus on underserved areas.

“We are a company like Airtel. We are WiFi providers. But our reach is more in the remote parts of India," he said.

Unlike traditional telecom companies that depend heavily on cables, his company uses wireless technology to reach difficult terrains. Today, his network operates in regions like Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

His work includes projects in places where connectivity was almost non-existent. In Tawang, for instance, his team set up internet access for an orphan school.

“This is a place where even phone networks are not available," he said.

He also worked on a major project in Ladakh under the National Health Mission, helping connect 300 hospitals. “It’s a very difficult project because of the area’s remoteness," he said.

He Now Earns Lakhs Every Month

Ojha now earns between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh a month. But for him, the journey is about more than money.

“For you, it may be enterprise. For me, it was just the need to earn money," he said.