Our Mission
To strengthen rural communities to lead their own self-reliance by building skills, confidence, and leadership. Rooted in the Thar Desert, URMUL secures food, fodder, and water while renewing crafts, culture, and local creativity.
A Community-Led Journey Towards Self-Reliance
URMUL Trust (Urmul Rural Health Research and Development Trust) is a community-driven organization working across Rajasthan for more than 40 years. It was built on the belief that real change begins within the community itself. URMUL works closely with people—especially women, children, and marginalized groups—to strengthen their confidence, skills, and collective voice. Through initiatives in education, livelihoods, health, and natural resource management, the organization supports communities to come together, address their own challenges, and move towards a life of dignity, resilience, and self-reliance.
Our Journey
From Dairy Cooperatives to Social Transformation
The story of how a milk union evolved into a movement for rural development and women's empowerment
1984
Trust Founded
1983–1984
The Idea Takes Shape
Development conversations across the Thar.
Early insight: "Work with the community, not for them."
1984
Birth of URMUL Trust / Registration
Visioning of URMUL by Sanjoy Ghose
URMUL officially registered.
1986
The First Field Base (6 Villages)
Villages: Dhani Bhopalaram, Nathwana, Kishnasar Rajpuria, Dhirdan and Malkisar-Goplyan neighbouring hamlets.
- Village midwives were identified and trained as Swasthya Saathis—community health workers guiding women on safe childbirth, maternal care, and child well-being.
- Primary health services & TB community meetings.
- TB, delivery care, first-aid training for villagers.
- Doctor-led mobile medical check-ups introduced.
1986–1987
The Three-Paise Community Fund
Families contribute 3 paise per litre of milk to a shared welfare fund.
Funding used for health, medicines & relief.
Becomes URMUL's first community-owned social security model.
1987–1988
Expansion to 24 → 36 Villages
The first institutional structure of URMUL Trust was established at Lunkaransar during the major drought relief operations, created in close collaboration with the Government.
From this foundational centre, URMUL gradually expanded its work into other drought-affected regions, including the remote desert area of Bajju.
Foundation for Growth
This period marked the transition from pilot work to institutional scaling. Village groups organized during the drought became the backbone of URMUL's community-led approach.
Birth of the Sangathans
It was at this time that the first seeds of the sangathans (village collectives) were sown. Beginnings were made of a relationship with the people in the villages, which was to continue and thicken in the years to come. Till date, these remain strong support and network systems at the village level.
1988–1991
Strategic Expansion & Integrated Development
Severe drought years; relief work intensifies (fodder, water, food).
Mahila Mandal (women's groups) formed.
Village leadership training begins.
Education work begins: night schools, non-formal learning.
Village-level institutions created (committees, groups).
Started with spinning, Skill based activity, Drought Mitigation.
Key Milestones
1991
Artisan Mobilisation
1992
Nahar Yatra
1993-95
Decentralisation
Collective work with artisans begins: weaving, craft groups.
Participation in block-level melas & fairs; first public exhibitions.
Seed of future craft cooperatives (e.g., UMBVS) planted.
Started engaging with women and advancing advocacy for their empowerment.
1992 — Nahar Yatra (Canal March): Conducted the "Nahar Yatra" to raise awareness about waterlogging, salinity, and land degradation along the Indira Gandhi Canal region.
Large-scale foot march to mobilise communities.
Strengthened awareness, unity & public participation.
Foundation for village-led decision-making.
1993-1995 — Decentralisation: URMUL initiates the formation of autonomous units to strengthen and diversify its work.
Education programme expands massively.
Children's camps (Bal Manch, learning fairs) strengthened
Community institutions become stronger & more independent.
Universalisation of education and the strengthening of educational systems.
Focus Areas (1995-1999)
- Balika Shivirs (Girls' Residential Camps).
- Vocational training centres for youth & girls.
- Rising work on gender equality & social justice.
- Long-term education foundations set.
⚖️2000-2004: Advocacy, Governance & Rights
Public hearings, social audits, & community transparency movements.
RTI awareness campaigns across villages.
Partnerships with Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh governments to train village workers.
2001 Onwards: URMUL Setu, Seemant, Marusthali, Vasundhara, Khejadi, Jyoti, Marushakti grow as independent bodies.
Programmes in health, crafts, education, livestock, water, youth leadership scale up.
Institutional capacity becomes strong & self-sustaining.
2002–2006
Humanitarian Response & Women's Leadership
2002 — Gujarat Earthquake Relief: URMUL team provides major relief support in Gujarat earthquake operations.
Marks the first large-scale inter-state humanitarian work.
2003-2006 — Panchayati Raj & Women's Participation: Intensive training for gram panchayat members, especially women.
Social justice,
Access to entitlements (ration, pensions, health services) Monitoring village development plans
Advocacy around female foeticide prevention, gender equality, and safe labour practices.
2006 — Rangsutra Crafts India Pvt. Ltd.: Formally registered, establishing a pioneering artisan-owned social enterprise.
The first institutional structure of URMUL Trust was established at Lunkaransar during the major drought relief operations, created in close collaboration with the Government.
From this foundational centre, URMUL gradually expanded its work into other drought-affected regions, including the remote desert area of Bajju.
2007–2014
Inclusion, Gender & Child-Rights
Career-oriented Balika Shivirs for adolescent girls.
Laado – "Girls Not Brides" child marriage prevention movement.
Health & nutrition systems strengthen.
Focusing on improving the quality of education and strengthening girls' education.
2014–2019
Disability Inclusion & Livelihood Revolution
2014 – 2018 - Disability-Focused Programmes Expansion: URMUL scales up community-based disability inclusion across multiple blocks.
Screening, early identification & referral systems strengthened through health teams.
Formation of caregiver groups, physiotherapy support, and home-based rehabilitation.
The Desert Livelihood Revolution
4,600+
Artisans Empowered
Rathi
Breed Improvement
NRM
Water & Agriculture
- Engaged and empowered more than 4,600 artisans across craft collectives.
- Rathi breed improvement.
- Fodder, horticulture, desert crops.
2019–2021
Learning, Digital Access & Youth Opportunities
COVID-19 Relief & Education Support: Ensured continued learning and essential relief for children and families during the pandemic.
Digital Education for Girls: Expanded girls' access to digital tools, online classes, and tech-based learning resources.
Natural Dyeing Cluster & Digital Livelihoods for Youth: Integrated natural-dye craft clusters with digital marketplaces and created digital livelihood opportunities for rural youth.
Green Energy Pilots: Solar-powered centres and campus operations for sustainable growth.
Pasture route revival (NRPM).
2021–Present
New Livelihood & Innovation Era
Sustainable Innovation
Began with listening, trust-building, and walking alongside desert communities, turning local strengths into sustainable action.
Early work emphasized health access, women's roles, organizing village groups, and strengthening traditional knowledge as the core of development.
New Livelihood Initiatives Launched: Established the camel-milk value chain through Marugandha, creating sustainable livelihoods for pastoral families.
Collection, products, veterinary support.
Water & Natural Resource Work
Undertook water-resource revival initiatives, including restoration of tankas, kunds, and traditional khadins across the Thar Desert.
Strengthened community-managed water structures, ensuring sustainable access to drinking and agricultural water.
Health & Community Care: Launched Mobile Sanjeevani Health Services, providing doorstep medical check-ups in remote desert hamlets.
Organized regular livestock and community health camps, improving preventive care, vaccination coverage, and access to veterinary support.
Current Focus Areas
- NRM & Water: Climate-resilient agriculture & water governance.
- Goat value chain & breed care.
- Maize value chain (nutrition, fodder, farming).
- Bamboo craft (new artisan line).
- Scaled up embroidery, weaving, natural dyeing, and design-led craft training across desert clusters.
- Solar-powered enterprises.
- Climate-resilient agriculture clusters.
Foundation of Service
Initial financial support to the Trust came from a corpus created through a subsidy of three paise per liter of milk collected by the milk unions - demonstrating the community's commitment to social welfare.
1000+
Villages Covered
15
Districts
40+
Years of Impact
12
Autonomous Organizations
Our Guiding Principles
Rooted in the Thar Desert, driven by community wisdom
Our Vision
To support marginalized communities in becoming self-reliant by ensuring access to development services they identify, design, implement, and sustain. URMUL envisions people-led development grounded in community agency and ownership.
Core Values
Transparency
Open processes, clear communication, accountable actions
Democracy
Every voice matters; decisions made collectively
Integrity
Honesty in action, consistency in principle
Partnerships
Collaborating with communities, governments, and allies
Dignity of All
Respecting every individual's inherent worth and potential
Sustainability
Solutions that endure: ecological, economic, social
Community First
Local knowledge leads; we walk alongside, not ahead
Equity & Equality
Fair access, inclusive opportunities, justice for all
The URMUL Family of Organizations
01
Urmul Setu Sansthan
Lunkaransar, Sri Ganganagar Road, Dist. Bikaner 334603
01528-22104
Urmul Setu acts as a bridge connecting rural families with development opportunities in health, livelihoods, crafts, and rights awareness.
It empowers vulnerable groups— including women, labourers, and persons with disabilities—through training, mental health education, craft value chains initiatives.
Key Programs
- Monthly immunization in 40 villages
- Education programs in 120 schools (6,000+ children)
- 31 women's sangathans (520 members)
- 13 men's sangathans (305 members)
- Grain and fodder banks
- 117 Sanchar team performances
02
Urmul Seemant Samiti
Bajju, Block Kolayat, Dist. Bikaner 334305
01535-33034
Urmul Seemant delivers integrated services in health, education, livelihoods, and natural resource management.
Its programmes support herders, farmers, and women artisans through livelihood enhancement, biogas access, climate-resilient water work, and craft development.
Key Programs
- 122 Anganwadis under ICDS
- 11,205 children in 140 Shikshakarmi Schools
- Lok Jumbish in 229 villages
- 4 Balika Shivirs (376 adolescent girls)
- TB treatment (40 patients)
- Child Sponsorship Programme
03
Urmul Marusthali
BUNKAR VIKAS SAMITI, PHALODI
02925-22272
UMBVS, founded by desert weaver families, preserves traditional weaving while empowering communities through skill building, market linkages, and rights-based mobilisation.
It expands women’s participation in craft clusters and strengthens community institutions through education and awareness.
Key Programs
- Traditional weaving craft development
- Kaseeda craft outlet in Pokharan
- Market linkage for weavers
- Skill training and capacity building
04
Urmul Khejadi
Malion ki Dhani, Jayal, Dist. Nagaur 341023
01583-73321
Urmul Khejadi works on building a just, exploitation-free society for marginalised labour communities. It strengthens education, women-led collectives,
migrant labour rights, sustainable livelihoods, and large-scale eyehealth programmes like Netra Vasant.
Key Programs
- 17 sangathans in 7 villages (260 members)
- Mazdoor manch in 9 villages
- Common property water resource projects
- Grain bank, seed loans, kund construction
- Non-formal education centers
05
Urmul Jyoti Sansthan
Near Veterinary Hospital, Mukam Road, Nokha, Dist. Bikaner 330803
01531-20595
Urmul Jyoti advances rural development through health services, governance awareness, girls’ education, and livelihoods. It delivers extensive eye screenings and primary health care.
The organisation also builds youth employability through vocational skills & enterprise support.
Key Programs
- Education programs in 35 schools (29 villages)
- Training for traditional birth attendants
- Nutrition program for children under 5
- Drinking water: 12 wells, 10 tubewells
- Tree plantation (15,000 saplings)
- Jagruk Nagrik Manch
06
Marushakti Sansthan
Moyal Colony, Kohinoor Dharm Kanta, Sujangarh, Dist. Churu 331507
Maru Shakti Sansthan works for women, children, and marginalised desert families by strengthening groups, building awareness of rights, and expanding opportunities for
education, mental & physical health, child marriage prevention and livelihood generation. for long-term community self-reliance.
Key Programs
- 8 village savings groups (309 members)
- Total savings: Rs. 190,000+
- Education programs for adolescent girls
- Food, fodder, and water security
- Kund construction for water storage
- Training for sangathan members
07
Vasundhara
GRAMOTHAN BUNKAR VIKAS SAMITI, LUNKARANSAR
Vasundhara began as a craft-and-livelihood initiative under the trust’s drought relief efforts, turning local wool spinning into weaving, dyeing and craft production.
It built income-generating craft clusters, promoted traditional skills, and linked desert-area artisans to urban markets.
Key Programs
- Spinning and weaving craft development
- Natural dyeing techniques
- Product design and range development
- Market linkage and exhibitions
- Group organization and training
- Production and bookkeeping
08
Gaavaniyar Folk Artists Committee
Bikaner, Rajasthan
An independent artist-led collective, the Samiti preserves and promotes Rajasthan’s folk traditions, including music, puppetry, theatre, and desert instruments.
It trains young artists, conducts cultural performances, and supports rural performers through skill development and CSR cultural initiatives.
Key Programs
- Folk music, drama, puppetry performances
- Sufi and folk dance
- Music albums for commercial distribution
- Paper Mâché products development
- Social campaigning (Education, Health, Environment)
- Training young artists
09
Napasar Weaving Set-up
Napasar, Dist. Bikaner
A dedicated weaving center preserving traditional textile crafts and providing sustainable livelihoods to local artisans through skill development and market linkages.
Key Programs
- Traditional weaving techniques
- Artisan skill development
- Market linkage support
10
Desert Resource Centre (DRC)
Rajasthan
DRC works as a participatory platform documenting desert-region knowledge — ecology, culture, economy — to inform policy advocacy and community action.
It links researchers and communities to cocreate solutions for land, livelihood and living issues in desert areas.
Key Programs
- Desert knowledge systems documentation
- Policy advocacy and strategy development
- Community capacity building
- Research and information dissemination
- Hot and cold desert expertise
11
Rajasar Hathkarga Vikas Samiti
Rajasar, Rajasthan (Est. October 2022)
RHVS strengthens the desi wool value chain by supporting sheep-rearing families and creating dignified livelihoods through spinning, weaving, dyeing, and needle-felting.
With trained artisans and active SHGs, it enables youth and women-led craft enterprises rooted in desert traditions.
Key Programs
- Traditional weaving techniques
- Natural dyeing processes
- Partnership with IKEA
- Cushion covers, Dari fabrics, jackets
- Desi wool products
- 20 artists trained and employed
12
Marugandha Craft Milk and Agri-food Limited
Rajasthan
Marugandha is a community-owned enterprise empowering camel milk herders, women artisans, and small farmers.
It builds sustainable rural economies by strengthening value chains, market linkages, and fair-price systems for milk and crafts.
Key Programs
- Craft milk products
- Agri-food processing
- Community development initiatives
- Sustainable livelihood models
- Quality of life improvement programs