Sminu Jindal - AXSChat

Sminu Comfortably seated on her wheelchair — Ms. Sminu Jindal

Ms. Sminu Jindal

MD, Jindal SAW Ltd.

Founder & Chairperson, Svayam

Chairperson- ASSOCHAM National Council on Iron & Steel, India

An indefatigable accessibility crusader, Ms. Sminu Jindal has made a historic and exemplary contribution in the Indian steel industry. A visionary entrepreneur, she is the first lady entrant in India to do her gender proud by breaking the glass ceiling in the Steel, Oil and Gas sector. As the managing director, she successfully took the Jindal SAW Limited, a part of the USD 18.5 billion O.P. Jindal Group, to greater heights with her crisp business acumen and foresight. Her contributions towards the growth of her organization have been phenomenal.

The first to manufacture Submerged Arc Welded (SAW) Pipes using the internationally acclaimed U-O-E technology, she led Jindal SAW Limited to a commanding position in India’s tubular market, being the undisputed leader. In the recent years, proliferation in various industry verticals has further strengthened the position of the company, as her extraordinary business vision and foresight helped it to spread its dynamic presence worldwide.

One of the world’s largest pipe manufacturers offering total pipe solutions, Jindal SAW Limited has 35 per cent market share in energy and water sector in India. With backward integration to iron ore mines, pellets and steel, Jindal SAW manufactures LSAW pipes, HSAW pipes, ductile iron pipes & fittings, seamless pipes, external and internal coatings, bends, anode and connector casings. With manufacturing facilities also in the USA and Europe, Jindal SAW has strong market footprints in the Middle East, USA, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Also under her leadership, Jindal SAW’s subsidiary JITF Infralogistics Limited (JIL) is redefining existing norms in the areas of water, wastewater and solid waste management, shipping, logistics and transportation equipment fabrication. JITF is involved in laying a strong foundation for a secure and sustainable future.

With manifold growth, single-minded determination, innovation, and continuously setting new benchmarks, Jindal SAW Limited, under the able leadership of Ms. Jindal, has marched ahead to become a top name in the tubular industry.

She is also the Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National Council on Iron & Steel.

Her organization ‘Svayam’:

Visualizing that it’s only through the collaborative efforts of the Government and the stakeholders, the realm of public infrastructure in India could be made inclusive, barrier-free and welcoming to all irrespective of their abilities, age and gender, she founded ‘Svayam’ in 2000. Svayam advocates, handholds and facilitates the creation of liveable, inclusive and barrier-free communities with various civic and government agencies.

She single-handedly worked towards bringing to an end the era of social isolation for people with reduced mobility due to disabilities or age by highlighting the issues of inaccessibility in the built environment hindered their participation ranging from education, employment, travel, leisure and become an active contributing member of the community.

She brought about profound and fundamental change in the mindset of society about the abilities and economic contribution of the most marginalised segments such as persons with multiple disabilities in the nation’s growth.

In the arc of her life, we see a woman who earned her place in the hearts of the people through her struggle, persistence and faith. Having a stubborn sense of fairness, she tells us what’s possible not just in words, but in action as well.

An alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Sminu Jindal went on to pursue MBA from Fore School of Management, with specialization in Finance. Her outstanding academic performance won her a Silver Medal and later on Institute of Marketing and Management bestowed upon her the Award for Excellence as the top woman entrepreneur.

Despite having been acquired paraplegia as a result of an accident at the age of eleven that made her use wheelchair for her mobility did not deter her family from providing her complete independence in joining the mainstream business of pipe manufacturing.

Having enabled herself by achieving unparalleled success on the industry front, she decided to enable those who are usually left behind due to lack of accessible public infrastructure; who are as braver, stronger and able to free themselves and make their own choices, but fail just because the infrastructure around them is not accessible. She wondered why people think that accessibility is required by the disabled alone. Accessibility benefits everyone, including the elderly, the pregnant women, and the mother with an infant, as well as the injured. Also, everyone requires accessibility at some stage of their life.

Her entrepreneur zeal and achievement as a celebrated businesswoman gave her much needed wherewithal to make a difference in the lives of the people with reduced mobility, and put smiles on umpteen, unknown faces and build an inclusive society.

Initially, Svayam was meant as an information dissemination platform where stakeholders could access all helpful information related to accessibility like availing of government subsidies, discounts, etc., and knowing their rights. Slowly, as the message went far and wide, Svayam became a movement.

Svayam is India’s leading accessibility organisation, dedicated towards informing the people, working with the government and bringing all stakeholders on a single platform to create a barrier-free, inclusive world. She believes that only providing accessible and barrier-free public infrastructure can help people with reduced mobility to live an active, safe, dignified life as contributing members of the nation while enjoying their world.

Svayam believes that nothing dampens the indomitable spirit of people with reduced mobility as much as inaccessible infrastructure. Lack of adequate disabled-friendly facilities has acted as the bigger roadblock and prevented them from making valuable contributions to the society.

Her relentless pursuit of achieving the shared dream of an accessible world continues unabated.

“My struggle is your struggle. My triumph is your triumph. You and I have every right to have our dignity and hope and freedom. Let’s join hands and make accessibility a cherished legacy for generations that may come,’ she says.

Chairperson of ARUNIM:

In September 2008, the Association for Rehabilitation under the National Trust Initiative in Marketing (ARUNIM) was launched, which is an autonomous body under the National Trust, a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, presented the logo of ARUNIM. A booklet on ARUNIM and a helpline called Abiline were also launched on the occasion.

Svayam founder was handpicked and invited to chair the body. As the Chairperson, she had contributed tremendously taking the annual turnover of the body from a meagre Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 1 Crore when she left. Under her chairpersonship, the ARUNIM won the prestigious Zero Project Award for its contribution in economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.

With her work, she brought about profound and fundamental change in the mindset of society about the abilities and economic contribution of the most marginalised segments such as persons with multiple disabilities in the nation’s growth.

Qutub Minar: Svayam gives India its first Accessible Monument

Svayam’s first on-field contribution started with its association with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2006. In 2008, Svayam along with the ASI made the World Heritage Site (WHS) Qutub Minar accessible. This was the very first Indian monument to become accessible. It created a lot of buzz in the media and the government realized how making monuments accessible can boost tourism and country’s prestige. The work was recommended for the National Award.

In November 2008, a team of several Members of Parliament (MPs) led by CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, as well the top ASI officials, visited the site to see the changes for recommendation. They patiently walked around in the presence of Savaym Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal, and appreciated the big change which was indeed the first-of-its-kind in Indian tourism sector.

Post the success of this project, the ASI made Svayam its Access Consultant to ensure that all heritage sites, monuments and protected properties under it were gradually made accessible in a phased. Qutub Minar’s examples were replicated at the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments; they are not only accessible, but many of them also won national awards for being the most accessible heritage sites.

Working on policy level:

She knew that ideas are not enough; no matter how right, they must be chiselled into laws to make an impact. Her single-minded dedication to the accessibility cause has not only given it the right impetus but also influenced the government to make policies to meet the rising demand of #Accessibility4All.

Svayam helps different government departments as well as corporate houses to incorporate accessibility as non-negotiable component in their infrastructure and services. Svayam has contributed to the preparation of many guidelines i.e. the Harmonised Guidelines & Space Standards for Barrier-free Built Environment for Persons with Disability and Elderly Persons, the National Building Code 2016, and the Civil Aviation Requirements for Carriage of Persons with Disabilities by Air, among others.

Accessibility benefits all, not just the disabled:

Ms. Jindal often reiterates that she is working for accessibility, and she is not a disability activist. People’s perception that accessibility is only for the disabled is totally wrong; the truth is that accessibility benefits everyone including the pregnant women, mother with an infant, the elderly and the injured. She says, ‘Being disabled is not a limitation; being inaccessible is. Accessibility is prerequisite for creating an equal and livable world for all.”

Committee membership:

National: Svayam is a member of many prestigious bodies/committees in India including the Core Committee on Accessible Tourism (Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India), the Committee on Functional Requirements in Buildings of Bureau of Indian Standards, Govt. of India, and the Core Committee for Harmonized Guidelines on Accessibility. Svayam is also on the RDSO (Railway Board) Panel for Accessibility in Rail Transportation.

International: Svayam is a member of the Standing Committee on Accessible Transport & Mobility (ABE60) by the Transport Research Board (TRB) of National Academics, USA. Svayam also acts as the Permanent Secretariat of TRANSED series of Conferences, held every three year in different parts of the world under the aegis of TRB. Svayam is a regular participant at the International Transport Forum (ITF), which acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers from different countries.

Ms. Jindal was also a member on the board of the DDU National Institute of Physical Disabilities, Govt. of India, and is also a Jury Member on the Committee for the National Awards for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of India.

Honours & Awards:

Ms. Jindal and her initiative Svayam won numerous awards and laurels in India and abroad including the National Tourism Awards of Excellence, jointly with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the GAATES Award of Recognition 2016, among others. The list of awards includes:

Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO)
Young Global Leaders (YGL) 2009 by World Economic Forum
National Tourism Award of Excellence jointly with ASI for making the World Heritage Site of Qutab Minar in New Delhi as Most Accessible & Disabled Friendly Historical Monument in 2009
Alumni Award for Excellence by Sri Ram College of Commerce in 2011
National Tourism Award 2011-12 for making the Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments, Agra as the “Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Historical Monument”
Asia-Pacific Enterprise Leadership Award (APELA) in the category of Social Service in 2012
L’oreal Femina Women Award in the ‘Favourite Face of a Cause category in 2014
Global Youth ICON Awards 2014, constituted by Yuvsatta to recognize the services of young people who are real role model for others to follow suit
Africa CSR Leadership Award 2012 conferred by the Stars of the Industry Group & endorsed by World CSR Day, CMO Council and Thought Leaders International
“Top Women Achievers of the Year-2017″ by Asia One Magazine (2017)
Ms. Jindal was recognized as one of the four Veers of the campaign “Veer” – an initiative of ‘Being Human’ of film star Salman Khan and CNN IBN
Ms. Jindal has been featured in “Power Smiles, Power Women” booklet along with 25 most successful women in different walks of life.

Major achievements of her initiative ‘Svayam’:

Accessible India Campaign (AIC): Svayam, which had already become a reputed name in accessibility, was the biggest contributor in this mammoth accessibility audit programme ever conducted by the Government of India. These audits were initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the aegis of the Accessible India Campaign (AIC). Svayam won the contract for audits of 340 buildings across eight cities in India – New Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Jaipur and Dehradun. The purpose of the audit was to assess the state of infrastructure in urban centers and how inclusive it is for people with disabilities.

Svayam & National Bal Bhawan work for inclusive educational environment: In a decisive step towards realizing this vision of an inclusive education environment in India, Svayam and the National Bal Bhavan joined hands to launch India’s first Training Certificate Programme for teachers dealing with children with disabilities.

Access Awareness Internship Programmes for students at Svayam:

To promote accessibility and make young minds accessibility-ready, Svayam collaborated with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Usha & Lakshmi Mittal Institute of Management (Bulmim), New Delhi, and offered its expertise, guidance and platform to the students.

Translation & release of Hindi Version of research on accessible school transport:

“Kadi Jodne Ka Ek Prayas” (Nov. 2017) – Svayam translated and released the Hindi Version of an international research, “Bridging the Gap: Your Role in Transporting Children with Disabilities to School in Developing Countries”. The English version was prepared by the Access Exchange International (AEI), USA. The HRD Minister of India, Mr. Prakash Javadekar unveiled the Hindi Version.

Accessible Railways: Svayam undertook access audits for the Indian Railways and highlighted the major issues such as misuse of the Coach for the Disabled. The Indian Railways incorporated suggested changes to improve accessibility in its infrastructure and services for persons with disabilities and those with reduced mobility such as senior citizens.

Access Audit of New DTC Bus Q Shelters: In the run-up of the Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, Oct. 2010, Svayam conducted a detailed access audit of the new Bus Q Shelters in New Delhi. The report revealed that these Bus shelters were not accessible from the road or bye-lane as the pathway on which they merged were not supplemented with accessible kerb cuts. Svayam held a meeting with the then CMD and other top officials of DTC (the Delhi Transport Corporation) and submitted a detailed design for making these bus shelters accessible in this audit report which was later accepted by DTC in toto and their future designs were accordingly amended.

Making Bus Transport Inclusive & friendly to elderly & PwD: Svayam partnered with the Access Exchange International (AEI), USA, in developing of the World Bank’s Transit Access Training Tool Kit on safe bus driving. Svayam held meetings of stakeholders, carried out research and prepared a case study. Then, Svayam helped spread the message about the Tool Kit to generate awareness among the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers, conductors and make their services welcoming and accessible to the marginalized sections of the society.

Dignified & safe air travel: Svayam has been working closely with the Civil Aviation Ministry, so that no passenger would face such discrimination and difficulty in future. Hence, Svayam prepared the first revised draft of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) on Carriage by Air of Persons with Disabilities (Oct. 2007) after detailed consolations with stakeholders. Svayam provided recommendations for the implementation of the second final draft of CAR in July 2009. In December 2017, Svayam has submitted changes in present CAR & SOPs for further improving air travel experience.

Ministry of Tourism: Svayam had been closely working with the Ministry of Tourism since 2007 in promoting accessible and Inclusive tourism infrastructure and services that caters to the diversity of visitors especially the elderly, children and the disabled on an equal basis with others.

Engagement with Municipalities: Svayam undertook an access audit of the NDMC’s Office Building in 2006 which resulted in many access improvements like designated parking, tactile pathway, lower counters, handrails along stairs, ramps on major approaches and signage. Also Svayam carried out detailed audit of 240 Public Conveniences in the NDMC area with an objective of suggesting changes to make them accessible to all. Svayam also suggested a model Public Toilet Design with Unisex toilet which forms the basis of all future tenders for PTUs under NDMC. Similar access audits of the common municipal utility facilities were carried out in many other cities including Ahmedabad.

2011 Census- “Stand Up and Be Counted” Campaign: It was the clarion call for the disabled by various disability rights organisations to have themselves enumerated in the final round of the 2011 Census. Svayam ensured that children, adults and the elderly with disabilities did answer question No. 9. During the campaign, Ms. Jindal said that by hiding them [the disabled] you deny them the right to be a citizen and deny the government an opportunity to plan for their empowerment. Let them reap the benefits this democracy has to offer. “Ensure that no one gets left out in this head count. Only an inclusive Census can ensure an inclusive India.”

International Participation: Svayam is a regular participant at the Transport Research Board (TRB) meetings, and International Accessible Tourism (ICAT) conferences. Svayam was awarded the prestigious GAATES Award of Recognition for 2015. The award was given on the sidelines of the 95th Annual Meeting of Transport Research Board (TRB) of National Academies in Washington, D.C., USA. The GAATES award was given in recognition of Svayam’s commitment to Accessibility & Universal Design in Built Infrastructure, Mobility & Transportation for Elderly & Persons with Disabilities and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Engagement with the Monastery of H.H. Dalai Lama, Dharamshala: H.H. Dalai Lama immensely liked the work being done by Svayam and said that he never noticed that inaccessibility affected so many in the community in general and in his ashram in particular and providing it could make the lives of so many people easy, comfortable and enabling.

TRANSED 2012: Svayam was awarded the bid to bring the world’s premier access and mobility conference, TRANSED 2012 (International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People) to India against strong contenders like Germany and South Africa at Transport Research Board of USA. The conference which has been hosted in eleven countries so far including UK, USA, Canada and Hong Kong was held in New Delhi, India during September 17-20, 2012. The main theme of the TRANSED 2012 was Seamless Access for All: Universal design for transport systems and infrastructure as a key element in the creation of livable cities. Over 600 attendees from 46 countries across the world representing all aspects of the infrastructure and transportation value chain joined the TRANSED 2012 conference.

Svayam Accessibility Awards: Svayam Accessibility Awards were instituted on 25 October 2010 to promote and recognize the concept of Accessibility & Universal Design in all spheres of our lives to make way for livable communities – in both rural & urbanscape The awards are conferred on the organizations in the TRANSED hosting nation that have shown consistent commitment towards providing accessible infrastructure for all. These awards play a pivotal role in providing the right impetus to the development of inclusive infrastructure, related policies & practices so that such initiatives are sustainable and meaningful.

Accessibility ForAll’ Twitter Campaign, 2016: Svayam launched one-week Twitter campaign #Accessibility4Allduring 26 November– 3 December 2016, and received an overwhelming response: 9.9 million impressions ,2.1 million unique users reached, 2100 Retweets, 1900 likes, 5818 % increase in profile visit, and 2000% increase in mentions! Famous personalities of the world supported the cause and retweeted aggressively. The campaign was featured on a special show on people with disabilities by Al Jazeera US.

Media Exposure: