About Me
I am Rumit Walia, a creative environmentalist and peacebuilder. I founded the non-profit organization Tears of the Earth in 2010, which is committed to inspiring youth and envisioning a world where unity and sustainability prevail.
As a Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate with further certification in geoinformatics, I passionately explore the intersectionality of environment, peace, and space exploration.
Hailing from a farming background, I am equally comfortable connecting with grassroots communities. I have worked with many organizations at the grassroots level, which led me to curate a program called the 'Village Action Program' to contribute to transforming rural areas in a sustainable way.
My mission is to develop a culture of belongingness by working on the intersections of several important topics and the Future Forward concept. To achieve this, I started the Changemakers Community, emerging from the Young Changemakers Dialogue in collaboration with the American Center, New Delhi, U.S. Embassy. My work has also extended to several other Embassies and cultural centres in India. I was the youngest participant in the prestigious State Department International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) on the theme of Environmental Engagement and Economy for the Indo-Pacific.
Recognized by global bodies, my social and environmental contributions have earned me several awards. My dedication is further exemplified by my selection in the focus group to co-develop guidelines supporting policymakers in integrating climate education into education policies and curricula as part of the UNESCO Green Curriculum ESD initiative.
I have been involved with BRICS Youth groups and represented India under the Bharat 360 Delegation in Sochi at the World Youth Festival 2024. I am also the Vice President for a Moscow based Media company - BHARAT РОССИЯ.
Currently, I serve with EARTHDAY.ORG India, managing Youth Affairs with a focus on Ending Plastic Pollution, Sustainable Fashion and the Green Economy. I also host the "Planet vs. Plastics" podcast series. My impactful work extends to conceptualizing the Earthpreneurs Initiative, stimulating youth across India to contribute design ideas for startups aimed at investing in our planet.
A skilled communicator, I engage top influencers, advocating for climate-related policies and in-house and process environmental responsibility and opportunities for youth. I coordinate hundreds of Earth Day programs every year in April and have conducted a continuous 53 Instagram Live sessions commemorating the 53rd Earth Day. I am also looking into the Litter-Free India Champions recognition at Earth Day Network, working with the Plogman of India to recognize Ploggers in India.
I have worked as a senior trainer at the Global Peace Foundation. I advised the Youth Peace Club Network in India and conceptualized and implemented impactful programs, engaging the younger generation in peacebuilding. I developed the Model of Global Peacebuilder Leadership Corps for India and contributed to the Zero draft of the New Delhi Declaration of Global Peace Leadership Conference 2023. I delivered talks to over 6000 youth in the Philippines and trained 3500 students at LPU Punjab in a one-day peacebuilding workshop. With a decade of experience, my influence extends to national and international platforms, contributing to initiatives like the framework development of Global Peacebuilder Leadership Corps in India and the Community-driven Peacebuilding - PeaceHub Campaign, showcasing my dedication to global positive change.
I am also the lead singer in the band Virah, which uses performative arts to promote climate/social justice and peace. I have curated street play scripts at renowned platforms, including Pragati Maidan, and now creating a community of musicians as a BeVisioneers fellow. I am also doing a challenge where I post a 5-second video on tips to become a true environmentalist, which I will continue for five years until June 05, 2029.
In addition to my extensive environmental and peacebuilding efforts, I have been a prominent speaker at various national and international platforms and advise a bunch of youth groups and organizations.
I am a proud Teetotaller and Vegan.
Awards & Recognitions
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Recognized for my semi-classical performance promoting unity and peace at the Territory of Meanings, August 2024
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Sardar Patel National Award (Delhi Today) for Environmental Conservation, presented by Padma Shree Dr. Jitendra Singh Shunty and Mr. Pradeep Rai, Vice President of the Bar Council of India Supreme Court, July 2024
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Youngest Participant in the group of Environmental Engagement and Economy for the Indo-Pacific under the State Department International Visitor Leadership (IVLP) Program, April 2024
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Represented India under the Bharat 360 Delegation at Sochi, Russia, in the World Youth Festival March 2024
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Projected the 'Youth Role in Peacebuilding: focusing on the Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' as a youth speaker at the Global Peace Festival, Philippines, December 2023
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Developed the Framework of Global Peacebuilder Leadership Corps for India, as an outcome for the Global Peace Corps pioneer Workshop in Seoul, Korea, October 2023
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Selected to co-develop guidelines to support policymakers in integrating climate education into education policies and curricula. The process result was published at COP 27 in Egypt in November 2022 and contributed to developing the UNESCO greening curriculum guideline for COP28 in 2023
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Winner of Climate Hackathon Challenge (Category: Drama and Song) by Energy Swaraj Foundation, November 2022
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Environment Hero Award ‘Dilli Ke Dhakad’ by 92.7 Big FM, 2022
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IESA- Earth Day Heroes Award under ‘Mobilizing the Youth for Environmental Practices’ Category, 2020
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Recognized by the Member of Parliament, Rajyasabha fr the setup of Kalam Centre at HRIT University, 2018
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Bestowed with the National Integration Youth Award by NYP, 2018
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Received the best volunteering efforts award by J.K Foundation, 2019
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Social Achiever of the Year by Green Earth Patron Foundation, 2017
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North Zone Winner of Earth Day Network’s ‘Anti-Plastic Campaign,’ June 2016
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Delegate at the BRICS Education Conclave, May 2016
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Represented India as a delegate at the South Asia Youth Environment Conclave in 2015