Omi Gurung

Omi (born Sandeep Gurung, 24 February 1986), is a well known fashion designer and social entrepreneur from Northeast India. He is also popularly known as "The Green Man" of Sikkim.

Contents

• Education
• Award
• References

Omi Gurung was born and brought up in Sikkim. He is the youngest son of R.K. Gurung, former Secretary, Department of Mines, Minerals & Geology, Government of Sikkim and Beena Gurung. For Omi, the seeds of his green consciousness were in many ways, laid down by his parents. At the age of 22, he was the editor for Dateline Bangalore and later worked as a fashion editor for a youth magazine in Bangalore. He has also been featured in leading newspapers in India like The Hindu, DNA, Vijay Times, TOI, Bangalore Mirror, Sanctuary Asia, Eclectic Northeast, Talk Sikkim, Good News Sikkim, Sikkim Insight, Sikkim Express, Sikkim Mail, Summit Times, Telegraph, The New Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Deccan Chronicle, Midday, Prajawani, Usha Kiran, Vijaya Next, Udayavani, Sikkim Mail and many more.

Omi has also been actively writing on Fashion and Lifestyle related topics for some of the leading dailies in India and international journals. Multi talented Omi at a young age has carved a niche for himself in the fashion world. Omi also runs a social group Oh My India (OMI). OMI catalysis change in the lifestyle of people in India by creating awareness to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle domestic waste and helping them to get started. OMI believes by following 3R concept and going green, we can do our bit to protect the environment and is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint as well.

The designer is also the owner of Green Gangtok- eco friendly fashion boutique, first of its kind in Sikkim. The boutique houses an array of exciting fashionable green choices in apparels, accessories and artefacts.The products are natural, upcycled and as well as sustainable and fair. It is his noble attempt to promote the green trend and propagate sustainable consumption among urban consumers.

He was chosen as TOP TEN CUTEST VEGETARIAN NEXT DOOR 2013 by PETA INDIA. He was selected out of thousands of contestants from across India, making him the first cutest vegetarian from the North East to reach the final of the contest organized by People for the Ethical Treatments of Animals (PETA) India.

He was also chosen as one of the Coolest North Easterners 2014 by the fastest growing webzine of North East India “The Thumb Print” . As an effort to celebrate achievers from North East India and an exercise to learn from their tireless effort; Coolest North Easterners is to recognize those who inspire others with their works. Omi was also listed in the top 50 famous Indian fashion designers 2015 by JD Institute of Fashion Technology and chosen as one of the men style icons from Northeast by Eclectic North East Magazine .

In 2016 he was conferred The Young Naturalist Award for his contribution to sustainable fashion by Balipara Foundation during Balipara Foundation Awards 2016 held at Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati, Assam.

In 2017 he was conferred the prestigious The Telegraph Northeast Excellence Awards 2017 on September 7 at an award ceremony organised by The Telegraph at Radisson Blu, Guwahati. He received the award for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Sikkim and the Northeast region.