Hero Enterprise Chairman honored with Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite for contributions to arts, education, and bilateral ties
Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman of Hero Enterprise and Founder of the Serendipity Arts Foundation, was conferred with France’s prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou on Tuesday.
Distinguished French Honor for Indian Business Leader
The award recognizes Munjal’s significant contributions to India’s civil society through his work in education, innovation, and cultural democratization, as well as his role in strengthening France-India relations. The Ordre national du Mérite, established in 1963 by General Charles de Gaulle, is one of France’s highest civilian honors awarded for distinguished public and private service.
Serendipity Arts Foundation’s Cultural Impact
As Founder and Patron of the Serendipity Arts Foundation, Munjal has positioned culture and creativity as catalysts for social transformation. The foundation’s annual festival in Goa has evolved into one of India’s premier cultural platforms over the past decade, known for its interdisciplinary approach, inclusivity, and support for emerging artists.
Ambassador Mathou praised Munjal’s vision during the award ceremony, stating that his initiatives exemplify the concept of “culture for all” as a space for creativity, innovation, and social cohesion. The ambassador highlighted how this vision aligns with France’s strategy of promoting cultural and creative industries as drivers of inclusion and growth.
Building Indo-French Cultural Bridges
Munjal described the honor as celebrating “the invisible bridges built between France and India through art, conversation, and shared curiosity.” He emphasized that France demonstrates how style is substance, while India shows that soul is substance, with culture serving as humanity’s common language.
Expanding Franco-Indian Collaboration
The Serendipity Arts Foundation has established strong partnerships with French cultural institutions. It was among the first partners of Villa Swagatam, France’s artist and writer residency program in India launched in 2023. The foundation also collaborates with Les Rencontres d’Arles on the Serendipity Arles Grant, now in its third edition, supporting South Asian photographers and visual artists.
French institutions including Jeu de Paume, Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Centre national des arts plastiques, and dance companies like Ballet national de Marseille and Compagnie Käfig have participated in the festival, deepening cultural dialogue between the two nations.
The Brij: Next Chapter in Cultural Partnership
The French Embassy and Serendipity Arts Foundation are strengthening their collaboration through The Brij, a major cultural center under development in New Delhi. The project will host exhibitions, artist residencies, and training programs for cultural professionals, embodying a shared vision of culture as both an innovation space and inclusion tool.
About Sunil Kant Munjal
Munjal chairs The Hero Enterprise, a diversified group with interests in insurance distribution, steel manufacturing, education, and investment. A former Joint Managing Director of Hero MotoCorp, he has been instrumental in India’s economic and industrial modernization. He serves on the boards of IIM Ahmedabad, Indian School of Business, and SRCC, and previously headed the governing body of The Doon School. His work extends to philanthropy, skill development, and healthcare initiatives.
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