Delightful Memories : India miss you, JRD TATA !

‘What is good for India is good for Tatas,’  said  JRD Tata, Father of India’s Industrial Revolution & Aviation, Entrepreneur and Former chairman of Tata Group.

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata is known to the world for many things. His achievements and love for India make him an extraordinary leader.

On his death anniversary as a tribute to this visionary, exemplary, patriotic leader, Bharat Express has curated some events that trace the JRD experience. He is a prized Indian and above all a great human being.

His interactions, intentions and vision went beyond the commerce of the boardroom.

On his 29th death anniversary we go down memory lane and trace JRD Tata’s unique persona and how he shaped India.

Born into the illustrious Tata family, to Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his wife Suzanne Brière. He is best known for being the founder of several industries under the Tata Group, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Titan Industries, Tata Salt, Voltas and Tata Airlines.

From a Pilot to the Pioneer

He had a personal passion for flying ever since he was a kid. In 1929 he became the country’s first licensed pilot and was the pilot on India’s maiden commercial flight. He used his business acumen and realised his passion into a full fledged business venture. He launched India’s first airlines by the name of ‘Tata Airlines’. Even though he was the chairman he would personally be involved in intricate details like choosing the colour of the curtains for the flight.

He knew that probably there were many things that the newly launched Indian Aviation could not compete with globally. So he made sure that Tata Airlines was known for its punctuality and service.

Tata Airlines was finally nationalised and made into ‘Indian Airlines’ which was heartbreaking for JRD. It was truly a sweet victory when Indian Airlines was recently bought over by the Tatas.

Though JRD was not there to experience it but wherever he is it must be giving him much joy and peace to see that the Maharaja (mascot of the Airlines) has found its way back home.

In 1948, he was given the honorary rank of group captain by the Indian Air Force and in 1974 he was promoted to the Air Vice Marshal rank.
Jeh, as he was fondly called, had a strong ethic and value system that went beyond his position and business standing.His interactions and encounters with the likes of Sudha Murthy, Dilip Kumar and even her personal driver show a human being cut from a different cloth.

Sudha Murthy’s time with JRD at TELCO as its first female engineer

In 1974, Sudha Murthy, came across a TELCO job vacancy advertisement which mentioned that only men can apply.

She  wrote to JRD Tata complaining gender discrimination at TELCO. She decided to write a letter to the company about the matter but since she didn’t know the person to whom she had to address the letter, she wrote to JRD Tata complaining about the “only male” employees policy and stated that’ women work better than men and if they are not given the chance, they won’t be able to prove themselves’.

JRD Tata’s responsed and changed the only ‘male employees’ policy and ordered to conduct interviews and examinations for female applicants also. She was granted a special interview and hired immediately. JRD Tata was a true humanitarian and a future forward man.

One day while leaving from work JRD saw Sudha Murthy in the office. She informed him that she was waiting for her husband to come and pick her up. JRD Tata decided to stayback with Sudha Murthy till her husband arrived. They engaged in conversation about a lot of things and he did not leave the premises till he saw Sudha Murthy getting home safely.

Such was the heart of the man. No wonder he was the first one to launch a proper policy of Human Resources.

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, a great businessman and industrial magnate who is revered as the Father Of Indian Aviation, is an example to everyone. He founded various enterprises that are now part of the Tata Group and successfully guided it to its current position. He has played an important role in the development of independent India along with the Tata group. He was born in France on July 29, 1904, exactly 118 years ago. Today is the 118th birth anniversary of veteran industrialist JRD Tata, the longest-serving leader of the Tata group. JRD Tata has achieved many big achievements in his life. He is always remembered for his great achievements and will continue to be remembered. JRD Tata was Tata Sons’ youngest chairman. At the young age of 34, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of Tata Sons. His contribution is not limited to giving India its first airline but also to the steel sector.

After the independence of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s government nationalised Tata Airlines and recognized it as Air India, then JRD TATA was made its chairman. JRD Tata created the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tata Memorial Cancer Research Center and Hospital, Institute of Fundamental Research, National Center for Performing Arts, National Institute of Advanced Studies, and various trusts. Whenever the story of India’s economic development will be written, the name of Bharat Ratna JRD Tata-JRD Tata will be written in golden letters. Let us know in detail about JRD Tata, who gave India the First Airline.

Dilip Kumar learnt a lesson in humility just by sitting next to JRD

Dilip Kumar was at the peak of his career. He happened to be on a flight which even JRD was on. The passengers got to know that Dilip Kumar was on this flight and all wanted to come get an autograph or get a glance at the actor or just have a conversation with him.

Dilip Kumar saw one passenger sitting closeby who was least affected by his presence.

The star took it personally and decided to have a conversation with him. He struck up a conversation with Jeh and asked him if he watched films. To this JTD said that he watched very few films and saw one years ago.

JRD asked Dilip what he did and told him that he was an actor. JRD was glad to know this. At the end of the flight Dilip Kumar went upto him to tell him his name to which JRD told him that he was JRD Tata.

That’s when Dilip Kumar realised that no matter how big you are, there is always someone bigger than you.  in this case JRD was least bothered about getting any attention or the fact that he should have any airs about being a top industrialist.

This was a truly humbling experience for Dilip Kumar. A true legend JRD Tata touched many lives and taught many lessons.

Corporate with Care

In 1947, Tata Steel established the very first Personnel Department. JRD written in a note that “If we have 50,000 machines, we would undoubtedly have a special staff or a department to look after them… but when employing 30,000 human beings, each with a mind of his own, we seem to have assumed that they would look after themselves, and that there was no need for a separate organisation to deal with human problems involved.”

He  introduced the 8-hour Work Day at Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant in 1912, the Leave with Pay scheme in 1936 and the Workers’ Provident Fund Scheme in 1920

The International Labour Organisation adopted all these and subsequently it was enacted by law in India. These policies were also adopted by other Tata organisations.

The man taught the world to care. A truly remarkable human being he went beyond his call of duty.

When he died in 1993 the Parliament Was Adjourned To Mourn His Death.

He played an important role in the development of many industries on the strength of his hard work. JRD Tata created the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tata Memorial Cancer Research Center and Hospital, Institute of Fundamental Research, National Center for Performing Arts and National Institute of Advanced Studies, and various trusts.

Awards and Accolades

In 1992, the United Nations honoured him with the United Nations Population Award for his significant contribution to population control in India.

In view of his contribution to the country, he was honoured with Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna.

In 1954, France awarded JRD Tata its highest civilian award ‘Legion of the Honour’. Growth And Achievements Of Tata Group

On his death anniversary I rejoice that Sir JRD Tata was the son of my bharat land. A patriot and humanitarian who loved and lived to see his nation grow but most of all in his own words as put in his words he had a vision for India

“I do not want India to be an economic superpower. I want India to be a happy country.”

It’s good to know and be reminded of the India JRD Tata dreamt of and it’s up to you and me to make it a happy country.

Jeh Sir just getting to know you more made me happier. Thank you for giving me a better India.Wherever you are, keep a watchful eye on your country. You are missed every single day. RIP.