Jesuit college inducts steel magnate into government body

Kolkata: St. Xavier’s College Kolkata has inducted Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, head of the world’s largest steelmaking firm, as a member of its governing body.

The appointment is effective from July.

College principal Jesuit Father Felix Raj said Mittal has “gladly accepted his alma mater’s offer.”

“We are indeed happy and privileged to have Mr. Mittal as a member of our board. We selected him as a Xaverian and an industrialist. I am confident that his close association with Xavier’s and his global experience will enrich our institution,” Fr Raj said.

In 2013 the College Alumni Association conferred on Mittal the “Global Xaverian” award in London. Mittal then expressed his plan to assist the college in its SXC Vision 2020, the principal recalled.

Mittal, 65, is the chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal, who in 2007 was considered the richest Hindu and Asian person in Europe.

Based in London Mittal owns 38 percent of ArcelorMittal and holds a 34 percent stake in Queens Park Rangers F.C.

He is a member of the Indian Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council, the Foreign Investment Council in Kazakhstan, the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, and the Presidential International Advisory Board of Mozambique.

He has been a member of the board of directors of Goldman Sachs since 2008. He is also member of the board of directors of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.

He sits on the World Steel Association’s executive committee, and

He also sits on the advisory board of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in the United States and is a member of the board of trustees of the Cleveland Clinic.

Mittal studied at Shri Daulatram Nopany Vidyalaya from 1957 to 1964. He graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta, with a B.Com degree from the University of Calcutta.

His father, Mohan Lal Mittal, ran a steel business, Nippon Denro Ispat. In 1976, due to the curb of steel production by Indian government, the 26 year old Mittal opened his first steel factory in Indonesia.