JRD Tata

Early Life:

J. R. D. Tata was born in Paris, France, the second child of Parsi father Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his French wife, Suzanne "Sooni" Brière. His father was a first cousin of Jamsetji Tata, a pioneer industrialist in India. As his mother was French, he spent much of his childhood in France and as a result, French was his first language. Tata also attended the French Foreign Legion. He attended the Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay(now Mumbai).

J. R. D. Tata was inspired early by aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, and took to flying. On February 10, 1929 Tata obtained the first pilot licence issued in India. He later came to be known as the father of Indian civil aviation. He founded India's first commercial airline, Tata Airlines in 1932, which became Air India in 1946, now India's national airline. He joined Tata & Sons as an unpaid apprentice in 1925. In 1938, at the age of 34, JRD was elected Chairman of Tata & Sons making him the head of the largest industrial group in India.He took over as Chairman of Tata Sons from his uncle Nowroji

Saklatwala. For decades, he directed the huge Tata Group of companies, with major interests in Steel, Engineering, Power, Chemicals and Hospitality. He was famous for succeeding in business while maintaining high ethical standards -refusing to bribe politicians or use the black market.

Under his chairmanship, the assets of the Tata Group grew from US$100 million to over US$5 billion. He started with 14 enterprises under his leadership and half a century later on July 26, 1988, when he left, Tata & Sons was a conglomerate of 95 enterprises which they either started or in which they had controlling interest.

He was the trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust from its inception in 1932 for over half a century. Under his guidance, this Trust established Asia's first cancer hospital, the Tata Memorial Center for Cancer, Research and Treatment, in Bombay in 1941. It also founded the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, 1936), the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR, 1945), and the National Center for Performing Arts. In 1945, he founded Tata Motors. In 1948, JRD Tata launched Air India International as India's first international airline. In 1953, the Indian Government appointed JRD Tata as Chairman of Air India and a director on the Board of Indian Airlines - a position he retained for 25 years. For his crowning achievements in aviation, he was bestowed with the title of Honorary Air Commodore of India.

Following are some of my most admired qualities in JRD Tata. These qualities are typical of a perfect leader and is something which has influenced people very much.

Approachable : - J.R.D. had no problems making friends easily. He had one of the most comfortable personalities that was probably his benchmark of becoming a successful individual.

Diplomatic: - One of the most difficult talents is to say ‘no’ in a nice manner. But Diplomacy was never a problem for J.R.D. Even when he was angry at Nehru for going against industrialists, he was never rude but made his point diplomatically and walked away friends.

Realistic: - J.R.D. never plunged into unviable projects, howsoever exciting they might be. He briefly flirted with the idea of making bombers with “Tata Aircraft”—but despite his love for flying, he shot down the project himself when it became clear that there was no money to be made.

Charismatic: - When J.R.D. was elected chairman of the group, there was no question about the selection.There was no one else who could have been chosen by the board.J.R.D. by then was a hero. The daring pilot, the shrewd businessman. He was already outstanding.

Courageous : - J.R.D. had always supported Nehru’s views on socialism. Something that the board of Tata sons did not agree with. But J.R.D. refused to sign the manifesto against socialism. It must have required considerable courage for a 30- something to stand up for views,which differed so widely from those of the old guard.

Compassionate: - People talk of Russi Mody but he manipulated people. J.R.D. genuinely felt for workers. His approach to labor was that of Fabian socialism. After J.R.D.’s entry, the management of Tisco changed its policy of confrontation. The trade union became not only acceptable but also an association which was vital to the interests of the workers.

Supportive towards innovation : - Apart from his supportive attitude towards Tisco’s lab technicians, perhaps Tata chemicals provides the best demonstration of J.R.D.’s willingness to support innovation in his business and among his managers.

Aware of a sense of responsibility: - There were opportunities for J.R.D. where he was tempted to joined politics. But he rationalized to himself by concluding that he could do more for the country in business and industry than in politics. He says, “I had no doubt that freedom was on its way. But who knows, I might one day have an opportunity to serve in more useful ways than by going to jail today!”

Committed to values: - J.R.D. never believed in paying under the table for getting a license approved. He never believed in exploiting the workers, society and earning more profits. It was believed that wealth and respect are disjoint. J.R.D. was considered to be an exception to this rule.

A visionary: - J.R.D. was the only director on the board of the Tata group who supported Ratan Tata’s plan to enter high investment – high risk industries like oil manufacturing & computers. He believed, that being that stalwart business house of India, such investments were a responsibility.

The status of JRD, his fame, and that of the Tata Group of Companies is unparalleled. He has strengthened the status of India in the industrial world.

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