Our Story
Fourteen years rooted
in the Himalayas
From a single workshop in a Dehradun courtyard to a six-sector NGO touching 48 villages — this is how Himwant grew.
Foundation Story
How we began
Sangeeta Thapliyal is a visionary social entrepreneur, development practitioner, and community leader whose work has transformed the lives of hundreds of women, children, and rural families across Uttarakhand and the Himalayan region. With a strong academic background in Law and Social Work, she brings together legal awareness, grassroots development, and social innovation to create sustainable solutions for some of the most pressing challenges faced by marginalized communities.
As the Founder and President of Himwant Foundation, Sangeeta Thapliyal has dedicated her career to building inclusive development models that empower communities from within. What began as a small initiative to support rural women artisans has evolved into a multidimensional organization working across women’s empowerment, livelihood generation, education, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community welfare.
Under her leadership, Himwant Foundation has established impactful programs that provide women with economic opportunities, strengthen traditional skills and crafts, promote entrepreneurship, and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Himalayan region. Her work focuses on creating long-term change by enabling communities to become self-reliant while safeguarding their identity, traditions, and natural resources.
What we stand for
Our Core Values
🌱
Community First
No programme is designed without the people it serves. Every initiative is co-created through village consultations and women's circles.
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Radical Transparency
We publish our annual accounts publicly. Every donor can trace their rupee to the programme it funded. No administrative bloat.
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Ecological Rootedness
The Himalayas are not a backdrop — they are the reason we exist. Every programme we run considers its ecological footprint.
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Cultural Humility
Garhwali and Kumaoni traditions are living knowledge systems. We learn from them before designing with them.
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Long-term Thinking
We measure success in decades, not quarters. Sustainable change in rural communities cannot be rushed or exited.
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Dignity of Labour
Artisan work is skilled work. We price products fairly, pay fair wages, and never romanticise poverty to market our programmes.
The People
Who runs Himwant
👩
Sangeeta Thapliyal
Founder & Director
Social worker, former government school teacher, and weaver. 22 years working in Garhwali villages.
👨
Deepak Chamoli
Programme Lead
Rural development specialist. Oversees field operations across 48 villages in Uttarakhand.
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Priya Bisht
Women's Wing Head
Leads artisan cooperatives, She Leads Lab, and micro-enterprise mentorship for 200+ women.
👨
Harish Bhatt
Office Head
Botanist and environmental educator. Runs Plastic-Free Pooja and Himalayan Water Collective.
Handcrafted
Shop with Purpose
Every product is made by artisan women in our cooperative. 100% of maker earnings return to them directly.
Showing 9 products
Eco
Bags
Juco Pouch Bag
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Bags
Jute File Bag
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Bags
Juco Baggage Bag
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 4
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 5
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 6
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 7
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 8
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Eco
Accessories
Jute Tote Bag 9
Hand-crafted sustainable jute tote, perfect for daily use.
₹450
Give
Your support moves
mountains — literally
Every rupee goes directly to programmes in Uttarakhand. No admin cut. Full transparency.
Your Impact
Where your
money goes
100% of your donation funds ground programmes. Our admin costs are covered separately through institutional grants.
👩🎨
₹500 – Craft Kit
Provides one woman with a full set of craft materials for a month of cooperative work.
📚
₹1,000 – Child's Schooling
Covers textbooks, uniform, and school supplies for one child for an entire academic term.
🌿
₹2,500 – Eco Ritual Kit
Replaces synthetic ritual materials in one village with 6 months of eco-friendly alternatives.
🏘️
₹5,000 – Village Water Check-dam
Contributes to building one check-dam in a water-stressed Himalayan village, serving 40 families.
Tax Benefit
Himwant Foundation is registered under Section 80G. Your donation qualifies for 50% income tax exemption. We issue certificates within 7 working days.
Volunteer
Bring your skills
to the mountains
We need teachers, doctors, designers, developers, storytellers, and farmers. Remote and field roles available.
Why Volunteer
What you get from giving
🏔️
Field Immersion
Live and work in Himalayan communities. Experience rural Uttarakhand in a way no tourist can.
📜
Verified Certificate
Receive a verified volunteering certificate from a registered NGO — valuable for students and professionals alike.
🤝
Real Impact
You'll see what your work produces — not in a report six months later, but in the classroom or workshop beside you.
🌐
Remote Roles Too
Website management, content writing, grant application support, and social media — contribute from anywhere.
Contact
We'd love to
hear from you
Reach us for partnerships, media, volunteering, or any questions about our work on the ground.
Our Events
Watch Our Impact
Glimpses of our field work, cultural programs, and women empowerment initiatives across Uttarakhand.
15 May 2026 · Dehradun
Before Offering a Chunri at the Temple, Watch This First! | Important Rules & Traditions
Are you planning to offer a Chunri (sacred cloth) at a temple? Before you do, learn the important traditions, proper method, and common mistakes to avoid. This video explains the significance of offering a Chunri, the correct way to do it, and the essential religious customs to follow with devotion and respect.
22 Mar 2026 · Chakrata
Himwant Foundation News
Stay updated with the latest news, achievements, events, and initiatives of Himwant Foundation as it continues its mission to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities..
Our Work in Photos
Gallery
Real moments from our programmes — women, children, culture, and the land we protect.
Featured Programme
Women Empowerment & Skill Development
Skill-building workshops, cooperative training, and livelihood initiatives transforming the lives of women across Uttarakhand.
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Programme Gallery
Child Development
🎭
Programme Gallery
Cultural Preservation
🌿
Programme Gallery
Save Environment
📢
Programme Gallery
Awareness Programs
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Programme Gallery
Rural Development
