In 2019, Ajay Vishwakarma and Tanu Aggarwal founded SunoKitaab in the villages of Rajasthan, aiming to revolutionize digital learning for students. Their flagship product, the ‘Vidya Box,’ eliminates the need for internet or smartphones by delivering educational audio content enriched with music and sound effects. This innovative device can be updated with new lessons through an app when internet access is available, addressing the educational challenges faced in rural areas.
The inspiration for SunoKitaab stemmed from the founders’ observation of the lack of teachers and digital resources in rural regions, hindering students’ access to quality education. Leveraging their background in audio content creation, they collaborated with over 150 teachers to develop more than 10,000 hours of audio lessons covering school syllabi.
Initially, Vishwakarma and Aggarwal shared recorded chapters via WhatsApp groups, which garnered positive feedback from students and teachers alike. This grassroots effort laid the foundation for SunoKitaab, officially launched in January 2020, offering a vast repository of audiobooks and podcasts in English and Hindi for students from Classes I to XII and those preparing for competitive exams.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need for accessible and engaging remote learning solutions. SunoKitaab experienced a surge in user base as students sought alternatives to prolonged screen time associated with traditional online learning platforms.
Recognizing the adverse effects of extended screen exposure, particularly for students with limited resources, Vishwakarma and Aggarwal introduced the ‘VidyaBox’ in 2022, inspired by the success of music audio player Caravaan. This device provides students with zero-screen-time access to academic audiobooks and podcasts, bridging the gap between video and written content.
Ajay Vishwakarma, the co-founder and CEO of SunoKitaab, emphasized their mission to provide accessible and engaging educational resources, stating, “Our academic audiobooks and podcasts bridge the gap between videos and written content, providing an accessible and engaging way to consume educational materials. We are helping students get access to valuable resources with zero screen time.”
