Panaji, Goa: Goa has become the meeting point for India’s next generation of cultural leaders as THE BRIJ Cultural Leaders Fellowship welcomed its inaugural cohort of 17 fellows. Delivered by Serendipity Arts with the support of the French Embassy in India, the nine-month fellowship officially began with a six-day residential programme held in Goa from June 20 to June 26.
Selected from more than 100 applicants across the country, the fellowship brings together professionals from diverse sectors including heritage, museums, archives, publishing, design, education, philanthropy, public policy and the wider creative industries.
Designed to foster thoughtful, collaborative and values-driven leadership, the programme encouraged participants to engage in reflection, dialogue, peer learning and leadership development while exploring the evolving role of culture in shaping society.
Speaking about the initiative, Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder & Patron of Serendipity Arts and Chairman of THE BRIJ, described the fellowship as a long-term investment in individuals who will strengthen India’s cultural institutions and preserve its rich creative heritage for future generations.
The Goa residential featured leadership coaching sessions, interactive workshops and conversations with distinguished speakers including Urvashi Butalia, Maya Rao, Dr. Mukund Rajan, Ruchira Das, Asif Ali Beg and traditional artist Chetan Gangavane. The discussions explored themes such as identity, ethics, institutional leadership, collaboration and the social impact of culture.
Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Grégor Trumel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Culture at the Embassy of France in India and Director of the French Institute in India, said France is proud to support an initiative that strengthens cultural dialogue while investing in the next generation of Indian cultural leaders.
The inaugural fellowship cohort comprises Abu Sufiyan Khan, Anshul Gandhi, Anuj Mahotra, Chhavi Jain, Dipti Rao, Kush Dhebar, Lekha Naidu, Maharshee Dev Mahanta, Dr. Pallavi Narayan, Pooja Yadav, Prachi Dalal, Rajatri Biswas, Ritik Rawat, Rubina Singh, Shanmukha Priya Mohan, Umang Sinha and Vidushi Bhatia.
Following the Goa residential, participants will continue their journey through three structured phases focusing on personal leadership, ecosystem understanding and future leadership research, supported through mentorship, peer-learning circles and expert-led engagements.
Course Director Smriti Rajgarhia noted that the programme was intentionally designed to encourage curiosity, reflection and meaningful conversations rather than predetermined answers, while Shefali Munjal, Co-Founder & Patron of Serendipity Arts, expressed hope that the fellows would build a lasting network capable of strengthening India’s creative landscape.
The fellowship marks another significant milestone for Goa as a destination that continues to host national and international initiatives promoting arts, culture, heritage and creative leadership.
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