VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

Umran Green Perspective Foundation is a registered non-profit organization founded by Rajeev Kumar, dedicated to empowering women and marginalized communities and promoting environmental sensitivity through unique educational and research initiatives. The foundation envisions a communicative society that inspires humanity towards peace and prosperity, deeply rooted in shared values. It aims to develop a sense of ‘Asabiyyah‘ (social cohesion) and expresses the Indic saying Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (whole world is one family). The terms ‘umran’ and ‘green’ reflect the foundation’s commitment: ‘umran’ symbolizes social cohesion, while ‘green’ represents environmental care, both of which cultivate a sense of ‘shared value and space’—being a caring and responsible individual toward both humanity and the environment.

The UGPF was registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on July 17, 2020. The foundation’s corporate identification number (CIN) is U85300BR2020NPL046904, and the registration number is 046904. It is registered under 12A and 80G.

Rajeev Kumar

Founder & Managing Director
 

I am currently a PhD candidate and lecturer at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, Turkey. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India. I worked as a Project Manager at Integra Software Service in Pondicherry, India, where I collaborated with publishing giants like Springer and Westermann Publication Companies. My academic interests span a diverse range, including Indic-Islamic Philosophy, South Asian History and Literature, Bhakti-Sufi Literature, English and German Literature, vernacular spirituality, the concept of barzakh, and Islamicate epistemologies.

Nationality: Indian (Born in Akaunha Village, Jaynagar, Bihar)
Email: rajeev.kumar@umran.org.in & umran.org.in@gmail.com

Story

My Journey

My journey began on April 13, 1988, in Akaunha, a small village near Jaynagar, a town on the India-Nepal border in Bihar. I love my village and its people—my agricultural fields, animals, the rain, the scent of soil after rain, festivals, and gatherings. These things define my identity.

But when I turned 10, I noticed a dramatic change in my community. Crime and illegal activities had increased, and we started living in an environment of fear. It no longer felt like the village I loved. The people I once admired seemed different. I wanted to leave, but for my parents, especially my mother, it was impossible. She would rather die than leave the land and home she built with her hard work.

My Childhood and Village Life

My village was unique. We played cricket with a ball from Nepal and a bat from India. Cricket was not just a game for us—it was a culture. My village had people from different social backgrounds—rich and poor, Hindu and Muslim, touchable and untouchable—except Brahmins and Kshatriyas, according to caste practices.

But for me, they were all the same—my villagers, no more, no less. Perhaps my education shaped this perspective. Despite scarcity, we were happy and satisfied. There were small clashes, but also deep love and unity, especially during festivals. But today, that harmony no longer exists.

My family has been farmers for generations, but my father became a government teacher, which led us to move to a nearby town. It was neither fully a town nor close to our village. Since we still had farmland, and my mother remained a farmer, we frequently visited our fields and relatives.

My Grandfather: The Storyteller and Leader

My grandfather was a great storyteller who worked in cinema alongside farming. He often spoke about the lessons he learned from films and had a deep love for reading. He would buy many storybooks, which he read in his free time, allowing him to collect a vast treasure of stories. Because of this, no night was complete without a story from him.

Beyond his storytelling, my grandfather was a well-organized and disciplined person. He always dressed neatly, wearing clean, well-ironed clothes and keeping a comb in his pocket to maintain his short, neatly combed hair. Even though he came from a village, he always appeared healthy and wealthy, carrying himself with grace and confidence. His home was clean and well-maintained, reflecting his tidy and structured lifestyle. Over time, I have found that these habits and values have naturally become a part of me.

His wisdom and storytelling ability made him a respected judge in the Panchayat. When he passed away, people from all castes, religions, and backgrounds gathered at his funeral—a testament to the love and respect he had earned throughout his life.

He deeply believed in education and made sure his sons received quality schooling. His efforts were successful, as he not only provided good education and care to his sons but also to his grandsons, leaving behind a legacy of learning and wisdom.

My Grandmother: A Strong and Supportive Woman

My grandmother was also a wise and strong woman, two years older than my grandfather. She was very supportive of him, always standing by his side. My grandfather, deeply respected her, and together they were the best couple I have ever seen.

Education and Career

My father, a retired government teacher and veterinarian, was my first teacher. My mother, too, played a crucial role in shaping my learning. My middle school teachers, Rama Ashish Singh and Pramod Singh, also left a deep impact on me.

As time passed, the social and communication gap widened as parents became more engaged in their work. I moved to Delhi for higher education and graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in German Language and Literature. A scholarship took me to Germany and Turkey.

After completing my studies, I worked for MNCs in Delhi, and later as a Project Manager in book publishing companies like Springer and Westermann in Pondicherry. But fate had other plans. I received a scholarship to continue my education, which I had initially decided to leave behind.

In 2017, I moved to Istanbul, Turkey, for a second Master’s program and a teaching fellowship at Ibn Haldun University.

Life-Changing Moments in Pondicherry

My time in Pondicherry was transformative. Sriram Subramanya, the Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of the company where I worked, inspired me with his humility and leadership. My senior colleague Indumadhi Srinivasan was like an elder sister, and her support nurtured my dreams.

I must also mention Manu Puthur from Kerala, my roommate at JNU, who became like an elder brother and mentor. His guidance played a key role in shaping my journey.

Realizing the Vision of Umran

In Istanbul, I struggled with homesickness and a deep sense of detachment from my village. I realized that life in the city was no less distressing than life in a village. A happy and satisfying life in the city was merely a perspective—but the truth was different.

During a Turkish language course, I was assigned a presentation. The word “Umran” came to my mind. Umran, as defined by Tunisian sociologist Ibn Haldun, embodies, social cohesion, and building society and civilization.

At that moment, I had no idea that Umran would later become my life’s mission. My previous research on Bauhaus (building houses) during my Master’s dissertation had already inspired me to envision a school based on workshops and community-building, uniting all forms of art. (Bauhaus is the German art and architecture school founded by Walter Gropius in 1919.) 

Now, reflecting on Umran, I saw a similar vision—an inclusive and progressive society. This realization reignited my excitement and made me rethink the possibilities of turning this vision into reality.

Taking Action: From a Dream to Reality

In 2018–19, I visited my family. Many villagers came to see me, reminding me, “You were born here. Now it’s time to give back.” Their words echoed in my mind, and I knew I had to do something.

I revisited my old dream of building a school, something I had long hesitated to pursue because it seemed too big a challenge. But I told myself, “At least I must try.”

The first step was opening a library, something I could fund with my own money.

I spoke to my father, and he agreed. My brother, Ram Sachin Kumar, a computer engineer, helped me with the project. I also consulted friends from India, Britain, Bangladesh, Albania, and Palestine, including Hossein Turner, Muhammad Hossain, Shameer Alavudeen, Amra Mlloja, and Muntasir, whose advice was invaluable.

The idea of establishing a school in my region was not new. It had always been a vision in my heart and mind, but I hesitated to pursue it because it was such a big challenge. I had not yet gathered enough courage to take on that challenge.

Building Umran Green Perspective Foundation

With support from my professors at Ibn Haldun University, including Prof. Bruce B. Lawrence, Heba Raouf, Vahdettin Işk, Recep Şentürk, Ercüment Asil, Önder Küçükural, and Alparslan Açikgenç, I made steady progress toward realizing my vision.

In early 2021, I successfully established the SLY Library, named after my grandfather, Sone Lal Yadav. This library became the foundation for my dream school, which I named “Umran Green School” (UGS).

I started UGS with a dual approach:

A physical school at the SLY Library for children.

An online platform as a Language Academy to provide quality language training for rural and marginalized students, bridging the gap between rural and urban learners through the UGS Language Scholarship and UGS Teaching Fellowship.

Currently, Umran Green School operates online, offering free language courses in 10+ languages, including Hindi, English, Turkish, Arabic, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Russian, and more.

Today, UGS has achieved:

✅ 4,000+ students from 52+ countries

✅ 500+ teachers and 500 volunteers 

A Vision for the Future

Umran Green Perspective Foundation (UGPF) is rapidly growing beyond borders and nations. I believe that this journey, shaped by my struggles and experiences, has the potential to transform lives globally.

Thank you.
Rajeev Kumar

10000
Followers Worldwide
42000
Class Hours for Students
3500
Application Received
700
Garduated

What Make Us Spcecial?

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Green Perspective

UMRAN will encourage to re-imagine the material world & gives value & respect to the environment.
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SLY Library In Villages

UMRAN wants to improve the literacy level of the village. Its aim is to build a library for the children.
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Online Education Quality education

Umran tries to make best use of technology to provide quality education to the children of remote areas.
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UMRAN is a concept. It is wisdom that is being developed into a set of cultures that will encourage a communicative society & inspire humanity towards peace and prosperity via a unique education process that re-imagines the material world, empowers women, gives value & respect to the environment.

Rajeev Kumar, Founder & Managing Director

A Great Place to Grow