One Life is Not Enough

The journey of Naveen Jindal, as the youngest son of one of India’s leading industrialists, OP Jindal, is a unique and inspiring one. Naveen Jindal is not your regular billionaire. The fact that he is a successful industrialist who built a steel empire that he inherited from his father is only part of his personality. He is lot more than a steel tycoon; it is that part of the journey that has defined his past, determines his present and drives his future.

Naveen Jindal turns 55 today, but age is just a number and it doesn’t really tell the story of what a person has done in his life. A cursory peep into the life and journey of Naveen Jindal will make most people recognize that one life is not enough, for he has done so much in such a short span of time. His versatility is only matched with his ability to make a substantial impact on the life of a nation.

Naveen Jindal's legacy cannot be measured by his age; it is defined by the impact he has made—whether its fighting for the right to fly the national flag, championing for sports, education, philanthropy, shaping policies as a parliamentarian or building institutions for the nation and the world at large. At 55, the journey is still unfolding—because true leaders don’t just leave legacies; they live them.

While it is far too early to discuss the legacy of this young, energetic and fitness enthusiast, it is worthy to examine his contributions beyond that of a business leader. I believe that Naveen Jindal’s larger legacy will have five areas in which his contribution and impact will be most appreciated:

1. Establishing India’s First Constitution Museum

Naveen Jindal’s strong dedication to the principles of the Indian Constitution has led to the creation of India’s first Constitution Museum at OP Jindal Global University. Recognising the significance of the Indian Constitution as a unifying symbol, he wanted to memorialise the grandeur of the Constitution which symbolises the birth of India and legitimises the existence of our Republic. He wanted to preserve and honour the legacy of this living document, showcasing the freedom struggle, the spirit of our Constituent Assembly members, the democratic processes behind the making of the Constitution, and the evolution of our rights and freedoms since independence. Understanding the crucial role that young people play in promoting and preserving constitutional values, he decided to establish this significant institution within an educational setting. Universities are not only centres of learning; they are entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future citizens of the world and instill the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. By establishing the museum at JGU, Naveen Jindal ensured effortless accessibility to young citizens, who can explore the legacy and liveliness of the Constitution and take active part in academic and civic discourse. Moreover, he knew that an educational setting would democratise access to the Constitution, expanding its purview of interest to people from all walks of life and encouraging civic education.

2. Philanthropy, Education and Youth Empowerment

Inspired by the legacy of his father Shri OP Jindal, who worked tirelessly towards the development of the nation through his commitment to public service, Naveen Jindal wanted to empower the youth of India to contribute meaningfully to society. He believed that education is the most powerful tool for transformation of individuals, societies and nations, and sought to build institutions where the highest quality of education is imparted. As tribute to the legacy of his father and to enshrine the Jindal family’s commitment to public service, his philanthropic vision established JGU and other educational institutions. His mission with JGU was to create a truly global university in India, providing world-class education and resources to train, nurture and hone the next generation of leaders who will change the world. He strongly believed that education is a right and not a privilege, and ensured that the university is accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. He champions extensively for scholarship programmes so that meritorious students have access to world-class education without facing hindrances from their socio-economic backgrounds. His commitment to supporting education is a testament to his profound faith in the power of education.

3. National Flag and the Fight for Constitutional Freedom

Naveen Jindal’s patriotic vision and commitment to upholding rule of law and constitutional values as a proud Indian citizen, led to his battle for securing the right to fly the National flag, the Tiranga. What started as a simple act of patriotism—hoisting the National Flag at his factory—evolved into a landmark battle for freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. At that time, private citizens were not allowed to fly the flag; it was a privilege reserved only for the State and government institutions. Naveen Jindal believed that this was an unjust practice which curtailed his right to display the love for his country. Fighting for his constitutional freedom, he fought a long battle which culminated in the landmark judgement by the Supreme Court of India in 2004 which granted the fundamental right to every citizen to fly the national flag with respect and dignity on all days of the year. Naveen Jindal’s success was not a personal one, it was the success of the people of a Nation. Emboldened by the constitutional spirit, he believed in the rule of law and the power of the legal institutions in protecting the civil liberties of its people.

4. Parliament As a Site for Public Service

Following the footsteps of his father Shri OP Jindal and his mother Smt. Savitri Jindal, who represented and worked for the development of the people of Haryana, Naveen Jindal also felt the call to contribute to the nation through public service. Without securing a seat by nomination to the Parliament like other established business leaders, Naveen Jindal sought to enter the realm of public service as a true representative of the people despite being a billionaire and steel tycoon. Convinced of his sincere commitment to public service, he won the hearts of the people of Kurukshetra, Haryana, and was elected to represent them in the Lok Sabha three times. His repeated electoral victories are a testament to his consistent dedication to serve the people, address their concerns and uplift their communities.

5. Passion for Sports and Its Transformative Impact

Naveen Jindal possesses the extraordinary quality to be focused and committed to every aspect of his life—whether it be business, politics, philanthropy or sports. Naveen Jindal is an avid sportsman and a skilled athlete who has competed in the highest levels of polo and shooting. He possesses the focused precision of a shooter and the agility of a polo player, which has helped him to build resilience, team spirit and perseverance. From his experience as a student athlete at the University of Texas at Dallas, he is deeply passionate about empowering and training the youth in sports from a young age. He actively advocates for the inclusion of sports in the daily lives of students, and developing the values of leadership and competitive spirit during their formative years. For Naveen Jindal, sports signify the development of character and the pursuit of excellence.

The writer is a Rhodes Scholar and the founding Vice Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana. Views expressed are personal