Humrahi Foundation volunteers gathered with the community in Siliguri

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Siliguri, West Bengal · Est. 2020

We show up, every day.

This is who we are, the people behind the work, and what we're building so good things last.

40L+ meals served Government-recognised NGO On the ground since 2020
Community members gathered during a 2020 relief run in Siliguri Volunteers distributing ration bags on the roadside in 2020 Volunteers packing relief rations during the 2020 lockdown Sorting and bagging supplies for lockdown food distribution

The early days · Siliguri, 2020

Our story

It started with a meal.

Humrahi Foundation began during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 — when Lalan Mahato set out with a van, a few pairs of hands, and a quiet refusal to let anyone go hungry. There was no plan, only presence.

“Humrahi means fellow traveller — the one who walks beside you, not ahead of you.”

What followed was not strategy but response: school adoptions, free health camps, cleanup drives, blood donation camps — each one an answer to a need we saw in front of us. Today Humrahi is a government-recognised, registered NGO, still showing up every day.

Our tagline says it best — manavta ki ek nayi pehchaan, a new identity for humanity.

40L+
Meals Served
700K+
People Reached
5K+
Students Supported
4+
Years on the Ground
Mission & values

Be there. Then build.

“Lasting change grows from the conditions inside a community — where people, businesses, and purpose find each other and stay.”

Our mission is simple to say and hard to live: be present for our neighbours without conditions, and let the work be measured in plates served and lives steadied rather than in headlines. Four values keep us honest.

Compassion

We meet people where they are, with warmth before words.

Dignity

Every person we serve is treated as we would treat our own — no forms, no waiting.

Consistency

We've shown up through every season since 2020 — daily meals and camps that run on schedule.

Impact

We build rather than replace, amplifying other missions so the whole neighbourhood grows stronger.

The bigger picture

From relief to a living network

The kitchens taught us something the crisis hid: a hot meal steadies a day, but a job steadies a life. Around 2022, as the daily food runs settled into a rhythm, the question shifted from "who needs feeding today" to "what would let this neighbourhood hold itself up."

That question became our second mandate. Today the relief work funds and feeds a wider idea, where sustainable enterprises, fellow NGOs, waste-to-work and local livelihoods reinforce each other, with Humrahi holding the connections rather than sitting at the centre.

See how the network works →

“Of all the things we do, creating work is the one that lasts. A job does more than a meal ever can.”

Awards and certificates recognising Humrahi Foundation's community work
Recognition

Recognised for showing up

Humrahi is a government-recognised, registered NGO. Beyond the paperwork, the work has been acknowledged by the institutions we partner with — blood banks, Lions and Rotary chapters, schools and local administration across Siliguri.

We don't chase awards; they tend to follow consistency. Each certificate on that shelf marks a camp run, a drive completed, or a partner who chose to stand with us.

Govt-registered NGO Blood-donation honours Rotary & Lions tokens Since 2020
The people behind it

The board behind the work

Lalan Kumar Mahato, Founder & President of Humrahi Foundation
Leadership
Lalan Kumar Mahato
Founder & President

The van during lockdown was his, and so was the refusal to look away.

As President, he sets the vision and strategic direction for Humrahi — fostering collaboration, transparency and lasting community development.

Ankit Mahato, Chief Executive Officer

Ankit Mahato

Chief Executive Officer

An ecopreneur at heart, Ankit channels grounded, scalable social impact into waste management, community welfare and a sustainable ecosystem.

Gaurav Saksena, Treasurer

Gaurav Saksena

Treasurer

Gaurav oversees Humrahi's financial stewardship — responsible resource management, accountability and sustainable growth that maximises social impact.

Bijendar Singh, Secretary

Bijendar Singh

Secretary

As Secretary, Bijendar strengthens governance through effective coordination, transparent administration and a steady commitment to the mission.

Meera Mahato, Board Member

Meera Mahato

Member

Meera brings compassion and dedication to the Foundation, championing community welfare through inclusive, impactful initiatives.

Krrish Kumar Mahato, Board Member

Krrish Kumar Mahato

Member

Krrish contributes a passion for innovation and community engagement, supporting initiatives that create meaningful, lasting change.

Ritika Sundik, Board Member

Ritika Sundik

Member

Ritika brings a strong commitment to service, collaboration and sustainable development, helping drive positive change across communities.

Seen & heard

In the media, and in our own words

Press coverage

Mega Blood Donation Camp makes the papers

Our 4th Foundation Day camp on Sevoke Road — with free eye and health checkups — was covered in Mumbai Ka Swabhiman and on regional television.

See all press & films →
From the blog

Stories from the field, written by us

Reflections, updates and the people behind the work — published on our Substack and pulled live onto the site as we post.

Read the blog →
Join the work

Be part of it

Volunteer at the kitchen, the cleanup drive, the blood camp or the school. Partner with us. Or support the work. Presence is the only skill required.

Call · +91 80018 80016 Email us Ways to help