Himalayan brew’s founder gets Rotary honour

Rajeev Sood, the visionary behind ‘Himalayan brew’, was honoured by the Rotary Club for his pioneering work in reviving Kangra tea and giving it global recognition.

In an inspiring address after receiving the award, Sood reflected on the early challenges of building trust in the potential of Kangra tea. “No one believed it could become a global brand,” he said. “Today, Himalayan Brew is more than tea—it’’s a blend of health, heritage, and tradition.”

He urged the Himachal government to lease barren land and hill slopes to farmers and entrepreneurs for tea cultivation. “We can increase production by at least 50%,” he stated, highlighting benefits like job creation, tourism growth, green cover expansion and a boost in state revenue.

Once known for producing over 17 lakh metric tonnes of tea annually, the Kangra Valley now sees less than 9 lakh tonnes. Many estates lie abandoned, but Sood believes reviving plantations can restore this lost legacy.

Born in Singapore, Sood left a secure job in the Singapore Army in 2003 to pursue his dream in India. By 2006, he founded Himalayan Enterprises, the company behind Himalayan Brew. Starting with leased estates near Palampur, he introduced naturally flavored, preservative-free teas and over 100 herbal blends. He was also the first to package Kangra tea as elegant gift boxes and commercial products.

“Rajeev Sood has modernised a forgotten legacy,” said Raghav Sharma, Secretary of the Rotary Club. “His journey proves that when vision meets roots, tradition becomes the future.” Today, Himalayan Brew is a symbol of innovation rooted in culture, a global brand with its soul in Kangra.

Himachal Tribune