Causes
Rajeev Kumar, Founder & Managing DirectorA Journey Rooted in Bihar: The Story of Umran
My name is Rajeev Kumar, and my journey begins on April 13, 1988, in the small village of Akaunha, near Jaynagar, Bihar, close to the India-Nepal border.
I grew up deeply connected to my village, its people, agricultural fields, and traditions. However, as I turned 10, I witnessed a dramatic shift. Crime and illegal activities began increasing, replacing the peaceful community I loved with an environment of fear. I longed to leave, but for my mother, our land was everything—a bond built through generations of labor.
Bihar’s rural-urban divide became evident as my father, a government teacher, moved us to a nearby town. We often visited our relatives and farmland, and I observed how our village, once thriving on cultural unity, was now struggling with poverty, caste discrimination, and lack of opportunities.
The Inspiration Behind Umran
My grandfather, Sone Lal Yadav, was a storyteller, farmer, and a respected Panchayat judge. His wisdom and vision inspired me. Despite our rural background, he believed in education as the key to empowerment, ensuring his sons received quality schooling. His legacy of storytelling and community service deeply shaped my values.
I pursued higher education at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), specializing in German Language and Literature. A scholarship led me to Germany and Turkey, and later, I worked in publishing and project management. However, as I distanced myself from Bihar, I felt a growing sense of guilt and responsibility.
In Turkey, I was introduced to Ibn Haldun’s concept of Umran—a vision of building a prosperous society. Inspired by my academic research on Bauhaus (an art and architecture movement that emphasized functional design and community building), I realized that my true mission was to create a positive impact in Bihar.
From Vision to Action: Creating Umran
Returning home in 2018-19, I saw firsthand the struggles of my village. People reminded me, “You were born here—now it’s time to give back.” Their words echoed in my mind, and I knew I had to act.
The first step was opening a library—a space for education, culture, and community learning. In 2020, I established the Sone Lal Yadav (SLY) Library in Akaunha village, dedicated to my grandfather’s memory. This library became the foundation for Umran Green School, an innovative education model blending art, language, culture, and environmental awareness.
Today, Umran Green School operates both online and offline, providing:
✅ Free language courses in 15 languages, engaging 1000+ international students and 40+ teachers.
✅ A cultural and educational hub in Bihar, focusing on community engagement, storytelling, and creative learning.
✅ A platform for marginalized communities, empowering youth and women through education, storytelling, and skill-building.
Our Vision: A Better Future for Bihar
At Umran Green Perspective, we envision a Bihar where every child, regardless of caste or gender, has access to quality education. Where stories, music, and culture unite communities, and where youth find opportunities beyond crime and migration.
Our journey began with a story—but together, we can build a new narrative for Bihar.
Bihar and Its Geography
Bihar is a state in eastern India. As of 2019, it was the second most populous state, the 12th largest by area, and, as of 2021, the 14th largest by GDP.
Despite its historical significance, Bihar has lagged behind other Indian states in social and economic development since the late 1970s. Many economists and social scientists attribute this to multiple factors, including the central government’s policies (such as the Freight Equalization Policy), the colonial-era Permanent Settlement of 1793, lack of Bihari sub-nationalism, and governmental apathy toward Bihar.
Bihar’s Potential: A Young and Growing Population
Bihar has the highest proportion of young people in India. As of 2021, only 20% of its population lives in urban areas, while nearly 58% of Biharis are under the age of 25. This presents both a challenge and a huge opportunity—if provided with proper education, employment, and skill development, this young population could become a driving force for Bihar’s development.
Women as Second-Class Citizens
Due to traditional social structures, women in Bihar still face discrimination in various aspects of life. Many are expected to be submissive to their husbands, even in cases of domestic violence. Their access to education, employment, and decision-making roles remains limited, reinforcing gender inequality and limiting Bihar’s overall progress.
Caste Discrimination and Marginalization
The caste system continues to be a major barrier to social and economic mobility in Bihar. Both Hindu and Muslim communities from marginalized castes face extreme backwardness in terms of education, economic status, and social awareness.
According to 2021–22 estimates, Bihar has a population of 119.46 million. Among them:
- More than 80% of the population lacks proper education and awareness.
- Only 30% of men and 7% of women from Scheduled Castes are literate.
These disparities hinder Bihar’s progress and reinforce cycles of poverty and exclusion.
Crime and Lack of Opportunities
Due to limited employment opportunities, lack of support for cultural, handicraft, and sports activities, and socio-economic hardships, many young people in Bihar are drawn toward criminal activities.
In 2019, Bihar had the 10th highest crime rate in India, according to then-Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad. Addressing unemployment, education, and skill development is crucial to reducing crime and unlocking the potential of Bihar’s youth.
Literacy Rates:
Rural Areas: The literacy rate is approximately 43.9%, with male literacy at 57.1% and female literacy at 29.6%.
Urban Areas: The literacy rate is higher at 71.9%, with male literacy at 79.9% and female literacy at 62.6%.
This data underscores a substantial gap in educational attainment between rural and urban populations.
2. Economic Disparities:
Bihar is identified as the poorest urban and third poorest rural state in India, indicating significant economic challenges in both settings.
3. Urbanization Levels:
As of the 2011 Census, only 11.3% of Bihar’s population resided in urban areas, highlighting its predominantly rural character.
4. Health and Hygiene:
There is a notable rural-urban disparity in the use of hygienic methods of menstrual protection among young women. In urban areas, 55.6% of young women use hygienic methods, compared to only 27.3% in rural areas.
These disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge the rural-urban divide in Bihar, focusing on improving education, economic opportunities, healthcare, and infrastructure in rural areas.
Our Mission
Our goal is to bridge these gaps by working on education, gender equality, skill development, and social justice to empower Bihar’s youth, marginalized communities, and women for a better future.
