Indu Jain (8 September 1936 – 13 May 2021) was an Indian media executive and philanthropist. She belonged to the Sahu Jain family and was the chairperson of India’s largest media group, popularly known as The Times Group.
As of 2006, Indu Jain had an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, making her 317th-richest person in the world. She was involved in philanthropy related to development and disaster relief, as well as literary endeavours.
What are the details of Indu Jain’s career and philanthropy?
After her husband Ashok Kumar Jain, a well-known publisher, passed away in 1999, Indu Jain took over as the chair of The Times Group (officially known as Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd), which is India’s biggest media conglomerate. The group is the owner of The Times of India and several other media outlets and newspapers. As of 2012, it had a workforce of approximately 11,000 people and dominated about 38% of India’s newspaper market. The primary success factor for the Times Group has been its focus on creating advertising spaces rather than investigative journalism, with significant portions of their content dedicated to Bollywood news and paid editorials.
Indu Jain was listed by Forbes in 2006 as the world’s 317th richest person with an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion. However, she lodged a case against Forbes alleging privacy infringement and arguing that the wealth estimate was purely speculative. This case was dismissed by Delhi High Court in October 2007. By that year, she was considered to be Asia’s wealthiest woman.
In addition to her role at The Times Group, Jain established The Times Foundation in 2000 where she also served as chairperson. Through initiatives such as Community Services, Research Foundation and Times Relief Fund, this foundation provides disaster relief support during events like floods or earthquakes. In the same year (2000), she delivered a speech at the United Nations’ Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.
As at March 2017, Jain held the position of founder and president for FICCI’s women’s wing (FLO). From 1999 until her passing away, she chaired the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust – a literary association initiated by her father-in-law Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain back in 1944. This trust oversees the Jnanpith award – a highly prestigious award for authors who write in Indian languages.
Jain was also a published author, having released the two-volume ‘Encyclopedia of Indian Saints and Sages’ in 2012 and 2019. Co-authored with N. K. Prasad and published by Times Group Books, the second volume was launched at a World Environmental Day event attended by religious leaders.
What awards has Indu Jain received?
Indu Jain was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in January 2016. Moving forward, she received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India in November 2019, a recognition for her exceptional contribution to corporate governance. Adding to her accolades, the All India Management Association presented her with a Lifetime Contribution to Media award in 2018 as part of their annual Managing India Awards ceremony, aimed at celebrating excellence in leadership and nation building. Furthermore, she was also bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Congress of Women.
What is known about Indu Jain’s personal life?
Indu Jain was wedded to Ashok Kumar Jain, and the couple was blessed with two sons, Samir and Vineet Jain, along with a daughter. Unfortunately, she passed away in Delhi on May 13th, 2021 due to complications resulting from COVID-19.
