Indus Jain, the chairman and philanthropist of the Times Group, died on Thursday, May 13, at the age of 84 due to COVID related complications.
Many people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, paid tribute to Jain, who was an outspoken advocate of women’s rights, community service and spirituality.
According to TOI, Jain wanted to donate her organs after her death, which could not be due to COVID-19.
Born on 8 September 1936 in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, she was the founder and president of the FICCI Ladies Organization that promoted entrepreneurship among women and became the chairman of the Times Group in 1999.
In 2000, she founded the non-profit Times Foundation which runs the Times Relief Fund to provide assistance to those affected during natural disasters.
She also served as the President of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust which promotes literature in Indian languages.
The Times of India described Smt Jain as “a lifelong spiritual seeker, leading philanthropist, eminent patron of the arts, and a passionate proponent of women’s rights”.
Smt Jain was awarded the Padma Bhushan in January 2016. Her other accolades include the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Women’s Congress. Award by Institute of Company Secretaries of India in 2019.
She also addressed the United Nations at the Millennium World Peace Summit in 2000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took to Twitter to pay tribute to Jain, remembering his community service initiative and passion for India’s progress.
I am saddened by the death of Mrs. Indu Jain, Chairperson of the Times Group. She will be remembered for her community service initiatives, passion for India’s progress and keen interest in our culture. I remember my conversation with her. Condolences to her family. Om Shanti, ” he tweeted.