The ‘Darjeeling Initiative’, consists of people who lost the most significant parts of their growing years in the violent Gorkhaland agitation that rocked the hills during the 1980s.  The group includes development workers, businessmen, tour operators, restaurant owners, lawyers, doctors, professionals, college students and unemployed youth.

The Darjeeling Initiative aims to make a positive impact on the socio-economy of the Darjeeling Hills and strongly believes that the issues facing Darjeeling Hills can be dealt with at the citizen’s level by partnering with the government.

With the pro-active involvement and support of all local administrative bodies, the group has built a Civil Society Movement, where local citizens in partnership with non-government agencies, institutions and establishments are today actively working towards a better society.

The Initiative’s efforts have so far focused on community mobilisation and development in the rural and urban areas of the Darjeeling Hills, livelihood issues, disaster preparedness, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS awareness. The group is also actively involved in reviving the music and cultural heritage of the Hills.