Prime Minister Manmohan Singh words serve as a reminder of OP Jindal’s indomitable spirit, his commitment to the welfare of the people, and his enduring legacy in the world of business and politics.
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On August 7, 2005, in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released a biography of Shri OP Jindal, the founder of the Jindal Group. The Prime Minister’s speech was a heartfelt tribute to the life and achievements of Shri OP Jindal, highlighting his extraordinary journey from a farmer’s son to an industrial billionaire.
A Saga of Effort, Courage, and Achievement
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began his speech by acknowledging the inspiring and enterprising spirit of Shri OP Jindal.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “The story of Om Prakashji is a saga of effort, courage and achievement and dedication. Like so many of us in India, Om Prakashji started life as a man of modest means. He did not even have what we now consider to be the initial advantage of an elite education. However, this farmer’s son had in him the steel and resolve that are the hallmark of a true son of the soil.”
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The Man Who Talked to Machines
The Prime Minister highlighted Shri Jindal’s passion for technology and his ability to master modern machinery.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “It is not often that we encounter a biography of a farmer’s son that is entitled ‘The Man who Talked to Machines’! Om Prakashji belongs to that rare generation of pioneering Indian entrepreneurs whose roots lay deep in the soil of Mother India, but whose dreams soared into the skies. Men like him mastered modern technology and applied such knowledge in the service of the common man.”
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Image: India CSR. Credit: Wikipedia
A Nationalist and a Visionary
Prime Minister Singh praised Shri Jindal’s patriotism and his commitment to the “Made in India” vision.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “His youthful passion to see the ‘Made in England’ markings on the products he saw replaced by a ‘Made in India’ label testify both to his patriotism and his sense of commitment. The nationalist in him could not come to accept that even ordinary pipes used in India had to be imported from England. He translated his dreams into action with the establishment of a plant first near Kolkata and then in his karambhoomi, Hissar.”
The transformation of farmer’s son, a “sixth standard pass engineer”, as he was once described, into an industrial billionaire earned him a certain standing worldwide. Yet Om Prakashji was not weighed down by fortune or fame. He retained his sense of fellow feeling for his kinsmen and village folk.
– Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
( While releasing the book The Man who Talked to Machines’! on August 7, 2005, in New Delhi)
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A Commitment to Social Responsibility
The Prime Minister also highlighted Shri Jindal’s commitment to social responsibility and his “People First” approach.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “In this regard, it would be fair to say that Om Prakashji’s life and work had a much larger purpose than solely making profits. He was also committed to the welfare of the people, and social responsibility became an integral part of his business philosophy.”
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Photo: India CSR
Reflecting on Om Prakashji: A Legacy of Leadership and Vision
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “On a personal note, I have had the pleasure and privilege of interacting with Om Prakashji on several occasions over the past two decades. Both last year and this year, we campaigned together, first for the Lok Sabha and then in the elections in Haryana. I had the opportunity to speak at Hissar earlier this year, and after seeing how dearly his voters loved him, I was convinced of his eventual victory that he won a convincing victory and took on the important charge of managing the State’s power policy and resources seemed only a fitting result. ”
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A Void in the Polity and Economy
Prime Minister Singh expressed his sorrow at the premature departure of Shri Jindal and acknowledged the void his passing had left in the polity and economy of Haryana and the nation.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “Sadly, Om Prakashji’s premature departure from our midst have not only caused all of us great pain and distress but have also left a huge void in the polity and economy of Haryana and our Nation.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “In his passing the nation has lost one of our most dynamic entrepreneurs, one of our most committed political leaders and, above all, a truly fine and sincere human being. He has, without doubt, left a rich legacy of entrepreneurship and leadership.”
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Om Prakash Jindal’s life and achievements
Here’s a table summarizing the key points about Om Prakash Jindal’s life and achievements:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Om Prakash Jindal, popularly known as O.P. Jindal |
| Birth | August 7, 1930, Hisar, Haryana, India |
| Demise | March 31, 2005, due to a plane crash |
| Occupation | Indian Industrialist, Philanthropist, Politician |
| Business Achievements | Founder of the Jindal Group, which includes Jindal Steel and Power, JSW Group, and Jindal Stainless Limited. Played a key role in India’s industrial growth. |
| Political Career | Served as the Minister of Power for Haryana until his untimely demise in 2005 |
| Philanthropy and Legacy | Known for his philanthropic efforts, with contributions to education, healthcare, and social welfare. His legacy continues through the Jindal Group’s initiatives. |
| Personal Philosophy | Known for his courage, hard work, and dedication. He transformed challenges into opportunities with the mantra, “Where others saw walls, he saw doors.” |
(Copyright@India CSR)
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