History of Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha
Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha (VRUM), also known as বিশ্ব রাজবংশী উন্নয়ন মঞ্চ, is a social and cultural organization working primarily in North Bengal and the broader Kamatabhumi region. The organization was formed with the vision of bringing people together for social welfare, cultural preservation, education, humanitarian assistance, and the development and empowerment of the Koch-Rajbanshi-Kamatapuri community.
The organization describes itself as a self-reliant social organization supported by contributions from its members, ordinary people, volunteers and well-wishers.
The history of Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha can be traced back to 2016, when the initiative initially took shape through a Facebook group. At that time, it was not yet a formally registered organization. The group began with a small number of people who shared a common interest in social service, community welfare and the preservation of Rajbanshi history, language and culture.
According to the organization's published history, some humanitarian activities were undertaken from the Facebook-group platform beginning in 2016. The early idea was simple: people should come together voluntarily to help society and to create awareness about the history, culture, language and social issues of the Koch-Rajbanshi-Kamatapuri community. Over time, this informal initiative gradually developed into a broader social platform.
As the activities and network of the organization expanded, the need for a formal organizational structure became increasingly important. Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha was formally registered in 2019 under registration number: S0011005 of 2019-2020.
The organization's published registration information also gives its registered address as Napitpara, Boalmari, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal – 735122. Thus, there is an important distinction between the organization's origin and legal registration:
One of the most significant chapters in the organization's early history came during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown period. During the lockdown, many economically vulnerable families faced severe difficulties obtaining food and essential supplies. Children and families from poor households were particularly affected.
In response to the humanitarian situation, Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha organized a milk and food distribution programme for children and poor and needy families. The organization's official app description identifies the Milk Distribution Programme during the COVID-19 period as one of its principal social activities, becoming an important milestone that demonstrated the organization's emphasis on direct humanitarian service.
Following its initial humanitarian activities, VRUM gradually expanded its social-service initiatives into several dedicated areas:
Social service is only one part of the organization's broader vision. A major objective of Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha is to promote and preserve the history, language, literature and cultural heritage associated with the Koch-Rajbanshi-Kamatapuri community, believing that social development should go together with cultural awareness.
Digital initiatives like Kamata Books serve as platforms associated with the preservation and dissemination of historical and cultural materials, making them more accessible to the younger generation through modern technology.
From its beginning as a Facebook group, VRUM has gradually developed a network of local units across different parts of North Bengal. Its membership platform currently lists active units in areas including Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Maynaguri, Mathabhanga, Tufanganj, Raiganj, Rajganj, Falakata, Kumargram and other locations.
At its core, Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha combines social service with cultural consciousness, summarized through four broad principles:
“Together for Unity, Culture & Development.”
Viswa Rajbanshi Unnayan Mancha (VRUM) began its journey in 2016 as a Facebook-based social initiative with the objective of bringing people together for community welfare, humanitarian service and the preservation of Rajbanshi history, language and culture. After several years of voluntary activities, the organization was formally registered in 2019 under Registration No. S0011005 of 2019-2020.
From a small social-media initiative to a registered grassroots organization, VRUM continues its journey with the vision of “Together for Unity, Culture & Development.”