Himalayan Prayatn (HP) is a youth-led initiative that was born out of the tea gardens of North Bengal, where generations of families have lived with limited access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. We are a collective of first-generation learners, young leaders, and community changemakers who share one belief: education is the most powerful tool to break cycles of poverty and marginalization. Our journey began when a small group of motivated young people, themselves from tea garden communities, realized the struggles faced by children and youth around them—school dropouts, early marriages, trafficking, and unemployment. Many of us were the first in our families to reach colleges and universities, and we wanted to ensure that others too could dream beyond the boundaries of their gardens.
Today, HP has grown into a dynamic platform that connects students from tea gardens and rural Himalayan regions to higher education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. We guide students to secure admissions in some of India’s most reputed institutions, build their confidence through fellowships and workshops, and inspire them to give back to their communities. At its core, Himalayan Prayatn stands for hope, resilience, and equal opportunity. Our vision is to create a generation of educated, confident, and compassionate youth leaders who will uplift not only their families but also transform their communities. With every student who steps into a classroom, every girl who resists early marriage, and every youth who finds a dignified career, we move closer to a future of dignity, equality, and justice in the Himalayan foothills.
• To support first-generation learners from tea gardens to pursue quality higher education.
• To break cycles of poverty, early marriage, and unemployment through education.
• To create a community of youth leaders who will give back and transform their societies.
A future where every young person from marginalized communities in the Himalayas has equal access to higher education, dignity, and opportunities to lead.
Tarak Majumdar belongs to rural West Bengal. His journey has taken him across many places — Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata — each shaping his vision and commitment to social change. In Kolkata, Tarak began what he calls his “second life” at Don Bosco Ashalayam, a home for street children. It was here that he resumed his schooling and, more importantly, developed the values of compassion, resilience, and service that continue to guide him. His care for street and runaway children inspired him to think deeply about social issues and strengthened his resolve to dedicate his life to social work. Tarak went on to complete his B.A. in French from Delhi University, after which he worked in the corporate sector for a period of time. However, his passion for social development led him to pursue further studies at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, where he earned a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Children and Families (CF). His time at TISS broadened his perspective and equipped him with the professional skills needed to work with marginalized communities. Over the years, he has worked with organizations such as DBNFYAR - Delhi, SANKLAP, CMS – Bangalore, and SPAN – Kolkata. In 2015, Tarak returned to West Bengal and began working closely with the youth of the tea gardens. He is also the founder of Himalayan Prayatn, through which he continues to dedicate himself to education and youth empowerment. Through Himalayan Prayatn, Tarak now strives to build pathways to higher education, nurture local leadership, and strengthen the capacity of young people to create resilient futures for their communities.
Tarak Majumdar
Rajeev Ranjan Rai grew up in Bagaha, Bihar, and his journey has taken him from small-town beginnings to working on some of the country’s most pressing development challenges. After completing his schooling, he moved to Delhi to pursue higher studies and graduated from Delhi University with a B.A. in Spanish. He went on to spend a decade in the corporate sector, where he gained invaluable professional and managerial experience. However, his deeper interest in creating social impact led him to pursue a Master’s in Development at Azim Premji University (APU). Since then, Rajeev has worked across India on diverse development initiatives, with a focus on strengthening education and empowering underserved communities. He brings to his work a unique blend of corporate expertise and grassroots development experience.
Rajeev Ranjan Rai
Mr.Jolen Munda
