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Indu Jain was an Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist. She was the chairperson of one of the largest media groups in India ‘Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd’ also known as the Times Group, before she passed away on 13 May 2021 due to COVID-19 complications.
Wiki/Biography
Indu Jain was born on Tuesday, 8 September 1936 (age 84 years; at the time of death) in Faizabad, United Provinces, British India (before the partition of India in 1947; now Uttar Pradesh). Her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Family & Caste
She was born in a Sahu Jain family.
Wife & Children
She was married to Ashok Kumar Jain who died on 4 February 1999 in Cleveland, United States. The couple has two sons, Samir Jain, and Vineet Jain. Samir is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Times Group, and Vineet Jain is the Managing Director & Owner of Times Group.
Ashok Jain
Indu Jain’s son, Vineet Jain
Samir Jain
Career
She was the founder president of the FICCI Ladies Organisation in 1983. She worked as the chairperson of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust in 1999 which was founded by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain (her father-in-law) in 1944 with a motive of promoting literature in Indian languages. In 2002, she founded ‘Times Foundation’ which works for various community services, operates a research foundation, and manages relief funds. To promote unity in the world, she assisted in launching ‘Oneness Forum’ in 2003. Before her demise in 2021, she was working as the chairperson of the Times Group.
Awards & Honours
- Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in January 2016
Indu Jain receiving Padma Bhushan Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award by Institute of Company Secretaries of India “for translating excellence in corporate governance into reality” in November 2019
- Award by Indian Congress of Women in 2000
- Lifetime Contribution to Media by the All India Management Association in 2018
Net Worth
$3.1 billion (Rs. 20,937 crores) as of 2016.
Death
On 13 May 2021, she passed away at 9:35 pm due to COVID-19 complications in Delhi.
On her demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted,
Saddened by the demise of Times Group Chairperson Smt. Indu Jain Ji. She will be remembered for her community service initiatives, passion for India’s progress and deep-rooted interest in our culture. I recall my interactions with her. Condolences to her family. Om Shanti.”
President of India, Ram Nath Kovind shared his grief on her demise. He tweeted,
In the demise of Smt Indu Jain, Chairperson of Times Group, we lost a unique media leader and a great patron of art & culture. She left her special imprint in the areas of entrepreneurship, spirituality & philanthropy. Condolences to her family, friends and admirers.”
Facts/Trivia
- Her near ones used to lovingly call her Mataji or Mummy.
- According to media sources, she had a deep knowledge of various ancient scriptures.
- She was an ardent follower of the spiritual gurus Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.
- In 2000, she addressed the United Nations at the Millenium World Peace Summit.
- Indu wanted to donate her organs, but due to her COVID-19 condition, it was not possible.
- She was a spiritual person and was involved in various religious activities. In an interview, while talking about life, she said,
Living in the present means not having regrets for the past, not worrying for the future. Life is what is now. I was born a seeker. I was very inquisitive and curious to explore. I don’t see a choice between ‘being happy’ and ‘having a purpose’ in life. The alternatives that seem different may just turn out to be the same. Life is an incredible adventure and you should give it your best.”