OREANDA-NEWS. February 08, 2011. Mr. Naveen Jindal, Executive Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Jindal  Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) has won the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the  Year award for 2010 for his significant contribution to the field of Energy and  Infrastructure.

Mr. Jindal bagged the coveted award for his efforts  in spearheading JSPL into becoming the fastest growing steel manufacturing  company in India today. He has also been instrumental in enabling Jindal Power  Limited (JPL) establish the first mega power project in the private sector in India at  Tamnar in Chhattisgarh.

The  Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award is the only business award to  be based on self-nomination and is now in its successful 12th year in the  country. A record 312 nominations were received for the awards this year, a  strong testimony to the unparalleled stature of the Entrepreneur of The Year  award program. A high-powered jury, led by M. Damodaran, former bureaucrat and  chief of SEBI, UTI, IDBI selected the winners.

Other accolades won by JSPL recently include being  rated as one of the Best Blue Chip companies in India by Dalal Street Journal;  One of the Fab 50 Companies in the Asia-Pacific region by Forbes Asia in 2009  and 2010 as well as the Highest Wealth Creator in India by the Dalal Street Journal  and CNBC’s Most Promising Entrant into the Big League at IBLA (Indian  Business Leaders Award) in 2009. It has also been  ranked fourth in the country as per Total Income in the Iron and Steel sector  by Dun & Bradstreet. Under Mr Jindal’s stewardship, JSPL has bagged the  National Energy Conservation award ten years in a row. 

Mr  Naveen Jindal has also been awarded the  ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ for 2010 by the University of Texas at Dallas for  his contribution to public service, being a responsible corporate citizen and  guiding his company to become a global player. Mr.  Jindal was also listed among 25 Indians who were part of the annual list of 250  Global Young Leaders in 2007 prepared by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum  (WEF).

Eight  other successful entrepreneurs received these coveted awards across various  categories at a magnificent celebratory banquet attended by over 350 people  here on February 7, 2011. The unique award makes a difference through the way  it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and  recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision,  leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its  kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year celebrates those who are building  and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them  through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities  in 50 countries.

Says Farokh Balsara, National Leader for the  Entrepreneur of The Year Program, Ernst & Young India, “India’s development  is inextricably linked to its infrastructure strength and energy availability.  Through the Infrastructure and Energy category, we recognise the significant  contribution made by an individual who has embarked upon nation-building by  successfully creating capital-intensive assets. Domestic consumption spending  is driving India’s economic resurgence, while local pharmaceutical firms are  emerging as global leaders - our second new category, Life Sciences and  Consumer Products, honours an entrepreneur from these vital sectors.”

In  addition to the Jury Chair for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Mr M.  Damodaran, other jury members include P.R.S. Oberoi, The Oberoi Group; Ms.  Naina Lal Kidwai, HSBC India; Mr. Dalip Pathak, Warburg Pincus International;  Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, Hero Corporate Service Limited; Mr. A. Vellayan,  Murugappa Group; Mr. Rajiv Lall, IDFC Private Equity Company Limited; and Mr.  Sanjay Nayar, KKR India Advisors Private Limited.