No college degree, no formal training: How UP homemaker ‘Dehati Madam’ Yashoda Lodhi built a YouTube career teaching English

Breaking stereotypes, showing courage and creating a path different from the norm are often the first steps towards change. Yashoda Lodhi, popularly known as Dehati Madam on YouTube, is one such inspiring woman who has turned her own struggles into an opportunity to help others.

There is an irony in the word “dehati”, which is often used dismissively to describe someone as rustic or unrefined. For Yashoda, a homemaker from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, the word has instead become a powerful part of her identity and growing YouTube career.

A Difficult Turn In Life

Yashoda belongs to Lodhan Ka Purwa village in the Sirathu Nagar panchayat of Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh. According to VillageSquare, her life changed dramatically around four years ago when a road accident left her husband bedridden and the family's primary source of income was suddenly lost.


Having completed only Class 12, Yashoda did not have a college degree or formal professional training to rely on. Instead of letting the situation hold her back, she decided to learn something new and explore ways to earn using the resources she already had.

Turning A Smartphone Into A Career

Yashoda had previously experimented with YouTube, but her earlier channels failed to gain much traction. She eventually found her niche by teaching spoken English to villagers and homemakers who, like her, had never received formal training in the language.

She launched her YouTube channel on December 26, 2023, and it has since grown to more than 3 lakh subscribers. Some of her videos have also attracted millions of views, including lessons showing viewers how to practise English during everyday activities such as cooking.

Teaching English In A Simple Way

What makes Yashoda's content stand out is its simplicity. Dressed in a saree and bindi, she records lessons from her home and explains English grammar and everyday conversations in an easy-to-understand manner.

Rather than presenting English as a difficult academic subject, she focuses on practical phrases and situations that her viewers can use in their daily lives.

Inspiring Women Towards Financial Independence

Yashoda's journey has resonated particularly with young women and homemakers who may have limited access to formal education or employment opportunities.

Her YouTube channel has collectively received close to three crore views. According to VillageSquare's 2024 report, she was earning around Rs 15,000-20,000 per month from the channel at the time.

From a small village in Uttar Pradesh to becoming a familiar face to lakhs of online viewers, Yashoda Lodhi's story shows how determination, self-learning and a simple smartphone can open new doors.

[With TOI inputs]