Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation is a distinguished environmentalist who fosters enhancing community resilience through ‘Putting People First’. Leading a compelling voice to the most pressing problems of climate change i.e. water, he firmly affirms Water is an asset and an indispensable catalyst for almost all developmental activities considering WATER as the new OIL’ which holds true in contemporary times. A pioneering environmentalist, who has changed the perspective of ‘Thinking Water’ and how most of us still find water as an infinite resource has endeavored to elevate awareness of water sustainability from local to global level. His relentless efforts to synchronize water with transversal enveloping sectors like energy, health, agriculture, etc. offers symbiotic synergies towards integrated sustainable development. An encyclopedia of knowledge and wisdom, his contribution towards environmental protection, natural resource management and sustainable development is noteworthy. His fearless and relentless advocacy efforts towards environment have earned him credibility and a crusader of environmental conservation in India and beyond.

The environmental values and moral principles imbibed were a result of his upbringing, cultural and educational background, intellectual perceptions at his school & college and his unique experiences that informed a deepening sense of understanding with nature. This is attributed to a strong influence by leaders like Mahatma Gandhiji, Leo Tolstoy, Acharya Narendra Dev, Sundarlal Bahuguna. Inspired by the Green Gandhian Shri Vinoba Bhave, the man behind ‘Sarvodaya’ philosophy supported principles of ‘upliftment of all’; Dr Kumar wanted to extend the element of “No One Left Behind’ into common man’s life within the realms of environment.