Rumit Walia speaking at an international conference

Biography

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. I have been fortunate to collaborate with numerous organizations and individuals who share a common goal — building a better world.

As the Indian Coordinator for Youth at EARTHDAY.ORG, I help lead environmental campaigns across the country. My work with the Global Peace Foundation has taken me to international conferences in the Philippines and beyond. Through Virah Band, I use music as a tool for environmental advocacy, performing at prestigious venues like BHU and BITS Pilani.

As a BeVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellow, I continue to develop innovative approaches to community building. Whether it's moderating high-level government sessions, training youth in rural areas, or hosting the "5 Seconds for Earth" show, my goal remains the same: creating a culture of belongingness between people, planet, and the future.

2024BeVisioneers Mercedes-Benz Fellow

2024State Dept, IVLP, USA

2024World Youth Festival Representative

2023Open Space International Fellow

2023GP Leadership Conf Philippines

2023C-20 Summit, Jaipur

2023Territory of Meaning, Moscow

2023GGC Heroes Env Champion

2023BRICS+ Youth Council

2022Y20 Consultation Delegate

2021Youth Climate Champion — UNDP

2020Duke of Edinburgh Award