The Inspiring Journey Of O P Jindal: The Man Who Talked To Machines
It is extremely satisfying when someone's years of hard work finally pays off with the most favourable outcome possible. A farmer's son from Haryana's Hisar is one such example.
Today we share an extraordinary story of Om Prakash Jindal (formally known as O P Jindal), a farmer¡¯s son who founded India¡¯s fourth-largest industrialist, the simple villager who became a millionaire listed in Forbes Magazines¡¯ World¡¯s Rich List.
Om Prakash Jindal (OP Jindal) is the founder of Jindal Group. The Jindal empire was built from scratch with his mantra towards life¡¯s challenges ¡°Where others saw walls he saw doors¡±. He is a symbol of courage, hard work and dedication.
Here¡¯s all you need to know about the pioneer of the Indian steel industry. Read more to know about his entrepreneurial journey.
Who was Om Prakash Jindal?
O P Jindal, the founder chairman of the Jindal group of industries was born in a village in the northern state of Haryana, India on August 7, 1930. His father was a farmer.
From the beginning, Om Prakash Jindal had a keen interest in technology and engineering. Compelled by this natural instinct for machines, during his early days as a school student, OP Jindal would visit automobile repairing shops and volunteer to assist in repairing them. Understanding the working mechanism of machines would always fascinate him.
The rise of Jindal Group
It was a small incident that changed the course of the destiny of OP Jindal when he came across a steel pipe that was 'Made in England'. As a youth, he dreamt of an India where the 'Made in England' labels on various products would be replaced by the 'Made in India' markings.
On finding out that no such product was made in India, OP Jindal decided that he would manufacture these pipes in India. Having an interest in technology from a young age, he started his industrial career with a humble bucket-manufacturing unit in Hisar in 1952.
After a lot of hard work and challenges, OP Jindal opened a pipe unit in 1964 with an investment of Rs 42,000. He single-handedly developed all the machinery for this plant without a degree or experience in engineering. He later set up the larger Jindal Strips Limited in 1969 in Kolkata. It was his vision to make India self-reliant in every sector of the steel industry that turned him into the steel tycoon of India.
Steel tycoon of India
Over the years, Jindal has been expanding, integrating, amalgamating and growing, but its motto has remained the same: 'We are the Future of Steel.'
Within few decades his planted saplings have transformed into four giant conglomerates viz Jindal SAW Pipes, JSW, Jindal Stainless and Jindal Steel and Power Limited led by his sons Prithviraj Jindal, Sajjan Jindal, Rattan Jindal and Naveen Jindal.
A farmer¡¯s son from Haryana went on to become one of India's largest industrialist is a tribute to his vision, grit, hard work, and courage.
Om Prakash Jindal¡¯s political career
A visionary who is remembered for his business excellence and social responsibilities alike, Shri Jindal believed that without the upliftment of weak and backward sections of the society, a nation can never prosper. Thus, he spent a lot of time taking steps to alleviate poverty and boost the backward sections of the society.
Hence, OP Jindal made him enter politics. Shri Jindal represented Hisar in the Haryana Assembly and Kurukshetra in the Parliament.
He became a member of Parliament in 1996. It was for the first time that an industrialist got elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament in India with a great victory. Otherwise, all the other entrepreneurs used to directly make their way to the Rajya Sabha which is the upper house of the parliament without contesting in any elections but by influencing others.
OP Jindal worked hard to uplift the condition of the downtrodden, especially the underprivileged and poor. His commitment towards girls' education led to the foundation of Vidya Devi Jindal Residential School for girls, the maiden venture of the Vidya Devi Jindal Rural Development Trust established by him in 1981.
The man who talked to machines
Where others saw walls, he saw doors. Jindal based his life on the ¡®India First¡¯ ideology. This remains the cornerstone of the group¡¯s philosophy.
His glorious, multidirectional journey of life came to an end when he died in an air crash on March 31, 2005. At that time he was serving as the Power Minister of Haryana. After his death, his personal assets were transferred to his wife, Mrs Savitri Jindal. Currently, the Jindal group of Industries is looked after by their sons.
To mark the 75th birth anniversary of late OP Jindal, the then Prime Minister of India, Dr, Manmohan Singh unveiled a book in August 2005, ¡°The Man Who Talked to machines¡± which is the life story of O.P Jindal. His journey from a humble origin to being a successful industrialist, philanthropist, politician, and leader will be a great source of inspiration for generations to come.
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OP Jindal: Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2004, he was conferred the ¡°Lifetime Achievement Award¡± by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry for his outstanding contribution to the development of Indian Steel Industry.?
After the sudden death of OP Jindal in 2005, Savitri Jindal - an outstanding personality with strong values, is committed to taking forward the values of OP Jindal.
Late Om Prakash Jindal¡¯s wife Savitri Jindal and his sons are fully involved in realizing the dream of Shri OP Jindal and this is the reason why Shri OP Jindal continues to live among people all because of his thoughts and principles.
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