Naveen Jindal

Naveen Jindal
Name	Naveen Jindal
Birth date	9 March 1970
Birth place	Hisar, Haryana, India
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	University of Texas at Austin, University of Delhi
Occupation	Industrialist, Politician
Party	Indian National Congress (until 2022), Bharatiya Janata Party (2024–present)
Spouse	Shallu Jindal
Office	Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha for Kurukshetra (2004–2014)

Naveen Jindal is an Indian industrialist and politician, serving as the chairman of Jindal Steel and Power and a former member of the Lok Sabha. The son of industrialist O. P. Jindal, he expanded the family's business into a major global player in the steel and power generation sectors. His political career, primarily with the Indian National Congress, was marked by his advocacy for the right to fly the national flag and his representation of the Kurukshetra constituency. Jindal is also a noted sports enthusiast and philanthropist, supporting field hockey and educational initiatives through his foundations.

Early life and education

Naveen Jindal was born on 9 March 1970 in Hisar, Haryana, to industrialist and politician O. P. Jindal and Savitri Jindal. He completed his schooling at the Modern School in New Delhi before earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Hindu College at the University of Delhi. For higher studies, he moved to the United States, obtaining a Master of Business Administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. His educational background in both India and the United States provided a foundation for his future roles in global business and Indian politics.

Business career

Following the death of his father in 2005, Naveen Jindal, along with his siblings, took over the operations of the Jindal Group. He serves as the Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL), a company with major operations in Angul, Raigarh, and Barbil. Under his leadership, JSPL expanded significantly, establishing large-scale plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and undertaking international projects in countries like Mozambique and Bolivia. The company is a leading producer of steel, sponge iron, and power, and is also involved in mining through ventures like Jindal Power. His business strategies have often focused on vertical integration and capturing growth in the infrastructure sector.

Political career

Naveen Jindal entered politics with the Indian National Congress, inspired in part by his successful legal battle for the right of private citizens to fly the Indian flag. He was elected as a Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from the Kurukshetra constituency in Haryana in 2004, and was re-elected in 2009. During his tenure, he served on several parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Public Undertakings. After a defeat in the 2014 general election, his involvement with the Congress diminished, and he officially resigned from the party in 2022. In a significant shift, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2024.

Sports and philanthropy

A former national-level shooter, Jindal is a prominent patron of field hockey in India. He is the owner of the Haryana Steelers franchise in the Pro Kabaddi League and founded the Naveen Jindal Hockey Academy in Hisar. His philanthropic work is channeled through the Jindal Foundation and the Naveen Jindal Foundation, which focus on education, healthcare, and rural development. These foundations have established institutions like the Jindal Public School and support various community welfare programs across several states in India.

Controversies

Naveen Jindal's career has been interspersed with several controversies. His company, Jindal Steel and Power, was implicated in the coal allocation scam, leading to a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. The Supreme Court of India later cancelled the allocation of the Utkal B1 coal block to JSPL. He has also faced scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged money laundering related to the coal block allocation case. These legal and investigative challenges have periodically impacted his business and political standing.

Personal life

Naveen Jindal is married to Shallu Jindal, an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer and the chairperson of the Jindal Arts Foundation. The couple has two children and resides in New Delhi. His mother, Savitri Jindal, is a former minister in the Government of Haryana and a noted philanthropist. The Jindal family is one of the wealthiest in India, with significant interests spanning steel, power, infrastructure, and sports.

Category:Indian businesspeople Category:Indian politicians Category:1970 births Category:Living people