India being a fast growing economy has witnessed various development milestones and many of the new economic opportunities enjoyed by rich and middle class people do not penetrate to the remote interior villages. India is also known for its unity in diversity but caste-based patriarchy, the economic effects of global capitalism combine with environmental stress factors makes the life of poor and marginalized extremely complex. Studies shows that because of increasing stress on natural resources due to both economic activities and lifestyles, the rural environmental attributes are having negative impacts on health, productivity and livelihood of the people and the environment as well.

Immense efforts have been done since independence, by the government and non-government sector to uplift the poorest of the poor in the rural areas of India and initiated action to uplift their social and economic development. Although over last two decades there has been a considerable decline in the incidence of rural poverty but a large number of people continue to live below poverty line. Hence to promote a spirit of co-operation and coordination in order to address issues affecting the life of poor and marginalized, Rajmeru as a collective forum came into being and later on its expanded its membership to associated members and individuals from development background in the country .

RAJMERU which is the combination of two Hindi words - Raj (Sand) and Meru (Mountain), as a viable platform for discussion, sharing of information and experiences in consent to facilitate a process of democratic planning and decision making is dedicated to enable people to ultimately become the owners of all development efforts. Rajmeru with an aim to form an egalitarian and just society will stand forward to discuss, negotiate and promote collective activism at various levels on issues of common interest.