Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of the JSW Foundation, has been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters), one of France’s highest cultural honours. The distinction was conferred by the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou, at a ceremony held at her Mumbai residence.
The award recognises Mrs Jindal’s exceptional contributions to art, culture, and heritage conservation in India, as well as her role in strengthening Indo-French cultural ties.
Under her leadership at the JSW Foundation, Mrs Jindal has championed heritage preservation and cultural exchange. She initiated artist residencies at Hampi Art Labs to promote collaboration between Indian and French creators, partnered with France during the Paris 2024 Olympics to highlight the dialogue between art and sport, and will participate later this year in Textile Matters at the Mobilier National in Paris.
Ambassador Mathou praised her “passion, vision and generosity,” noting that her efforts have “profoundly enriched the cultural landscape of India and brought our two countries closer together.”
Accepting the honour, Mrs Jindal said, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from France. It reaffirms my commitment to safeguarding India’s heritage while fostering meaningful cultural bridges between our two nations. Heritage is a living resource that connects generations, and I remain dedicated to ensuring it continues to inspire the future.”
Mrs Jindal has led several landmark initiatives, including the restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Library, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, and the ongoing restoration of the Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar. She has also supported cultural platforms such as Art India magazine, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, and the Woven Narratives exhibition at the 2023 G20 Summit.
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, instituted by the French Ministry of Culture, honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, literature, or the promotion of culture worldwide. Past Indian recipients include Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Subodh Gupta, and Raghu Rai.
