By Ganesh Upadhyay
New Delhi, September 21, 2026 — The SCOPE Auditorium in the national capital resonated with a powerful blend of purpose and melody on Friday (September 18, 2026) as the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) officially launched its flagship initiative, The Satyarthi Fellowship. The event brought together an eclectic mix of legal luminaries, cultural icons, and global leaders to witness the induction of 25 young changemakers from 14 countries into this year-long leadership programme.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as dignitaries including Supreme Court Judge Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, former Supreme Court Judge Justice A.K. Sikri. The occasion was further graced by the presence of Padmashri Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, former President of the Indian Medical Association, three-time Grammy Award winner Padmashri Ricky Kej, the Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Prof. Salim Engineer and many other distinguished guests attended the event.

Opening the proceedings with warmth and conviction, SMGC CEO Asmita Satyarthi welcomed the fellows, setting the tone for a journey of compassion. “You are not just participants; you are architects of a new world order where kindness is the currency of change,” she addressed the cohort. Her speech highlighted the critical role of women and youth in driving social cohesion, emphasizing that compassion must be translated into tangible action.

The Nobel Laureate’s Call to Action: Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, the founder of the movement, delivered a stirring keynote that challenged the status quo. He emphasized that the fellowship is distinct from conventional academic programmes. “Many fellowships are designed to train, capacitate, and engage young people in some causes. But this is different. Because these young people are not here just to learn. They are prepared to lead the world,” Satyarthi declared.
He urged the fellows to look beyond borders and disciplines. “Compassion is not a passive emotion; it is a verb. It demands courage. You are here to bridge the divide between privilege and poverty, between knowledge and wisdom, between power and humanity.”
SMGC Co-Founder Sumedha Kailash, a poet and educationist, added a lyrical dimension to the discourse. She spoke on the necessity of “heart-led leadership” in times of global uncertainty. Her words paved the way for a soulful conclusion.

Two Mumbai-based singers Chinmayi Tripathi and Joell Mukherjee who performed poetic couplets also added a poem composed by Kailash Satyarthi himself.
The performance transformed the auditorium into a space of collective reflection. As the melodies drifted through the hall, the lyrics invited every attendee to join hands—literally and metaphorically—to strengthen the initiative. The audience, moved by the verses, rose in a spontaneous standing ovation, symbolizing their unified commitment to the cause.
Global Mentorship: The fellowship boasts an extraordinary mentor board, including Nobel Laureates Jose Ramos-Horta and Leymah Gbowee, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, and UNESCO’s former Assistant Director-General Gabriela Ramos. These global figures will guide the fellows as they work on high-impact projects across AI, healthcare, governance, and education.
Adding a spiritual touch, Jigme Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, read out a special message from the Dalai Lama, reinforcing the universal value of compassion.
The inaugural cohort will operate across seven domains: Artificial Intelligence, Business, Education, Faith, Governance, Healthcare and Justice. Guided by a Learn–Apply–Build model, the programme begins with one month of residential learning and grassroots immersion at Bal Ashram, Rajasthan, followed by ten months of developing and implementing Compassionate Action Projects in real institutional and community contexts. Fellows will receive mentorship from sitting world leaders, Heads of State, UN agencies and governments.
Distinguishing itself through a rigorous approach, the Fellowship treats compassion not as an abstract value but as a practical leadership tool for addressing complex challenges. By integrating interdisciplinary learning, systems thinking, grassroots experience and cross-cultural collaboration, fellows are equipped to deliver impactful solutions within their respective fields.