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) by the French Republic. The honour, among France’s highest cultural distinctions, was presented by His Excellency Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, at a ceremony held at Mrs. Jindal’s residence in Mumbai.
This recognition acknowledges Mrs Jindal’s longstanding contributions to the arts, heritage preservation, and cross-cultural initiatives—particularly those strengthening cultural ties between India and France. As head of the JSW Foundation, Mrs Jindal has integrated arts and culture into the foundation’s core work. Her efforts include the establishment of artist residencies at Hampi Art Labs, which have supported exchanges between Indian and French artists. In 2024, she collaborated with French institutions during the Paris Olympic Games to explore the intersection of art and sport. Later this year, she will participate in the upcoming exhibition “Textile Matters” at the Mobilier National in Paris.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said “Mrs. Jindal’s dedication to culture and heritage has had a lasting impact in India and has helped forge stronger ties between our two countries. This award reflects France’s appreciation for her vision and the bridges she continues to build through her work. We look forward to deepening this cultural dialogue in the years to come.”
Accepting the honour, Mrs Jindal remarked “I am truly grateful to receive this recognition from the French Republic. It speaks to the importance of protecting our shared cultural inheritance and highlights the power of collaboration across borders. This distinction belongs as much to the many artists, artisans, and institutions I’ve had the privilege of working with, as it does to me. Culture is not static—it carries forward our values and imagination to the next generation.”
Mrs Jindal leads the JSW Foundation, where she has championed projects that promote the arts, support creative communities, and restore sites of cultural importance. Her initiatives include the conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Hampi, the renewal of Mumbai’s Sassoon Library, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, and the Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar.
She has played a key role in shaping India’s cultural dialogue through platforms such as Art India magazine, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, and the “Woven Narratives” showcase held during the 2023 G20 Summit. Recently, she announced plans to support a new museum in Assam, focused on the region’s craft heritage.
Established by the French Ministry of Culture, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the promotion of cultural exchange. Past Indian recipients include Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Bharti Kher, and Raghu Rai, among others.
