Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of the JSW Foundation, has been honoured with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters), one of France’s most prestigious cultural distinctions. The award was presented by the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou, at a ceremony held in Mumbai.
The honour recognises Mrs Jindal’s exceptional contributions to art, culture, and heritage conservation in India, along with her efforts in strengthening Indo-French cultural ties. Under her leadership, the JSW Foundation has undertaken landmark initiatives such as the restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, Mumbai’s Sassoon Library, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, and the Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar.
Through initiatives like the Hampi Art Labs, she has promoted cultural exchange between Indian and French artists. In 2024, she collaborated with France during the Paris Olympic Games on projects exploring the intersection of art and sport, and later this year she will participate in Textile Matters at the Mobilier National in Paris.
Ambassador Mathou lauded her “passion, vision and generosity,” adding that her work has “profoundly enriched the cultural landscape of India and brought our two countries closer together.”
Accepting the award, Mrs Jindal said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from France. It reaffirms my commitment to safeguarding India’s heritage while fostering 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.”
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is conferred by the French Ministry of Culture on individuals who have distinguished themselves through creativity in the arts, culture, and literature, or for their contributions to promoting culture globally. Past Indian recipients include Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Subodh Gupta, and Raghu Rai.
