On this day 112 years
back a person of Indian origin was born in France. None would have thought at
that time that he would be remembered so well by millions of Indians with
reverence and respect even after close to 25 years after his physical death. I
think that makes him immortal. He was not a godman, or a politician, a leader
with mass following , or a freedom fighter who would defy the British and go to
prison umpteen times. His idea of freedom from the colonial yoke was
industrialization.
He is Jehangir Ratanji
Dadabhoy Tata , fondly known as JRD Tata.
JRD was the successor of the Tata Group patriarch Jamestji Tata, who was
a cousin to his father.
JRD started as an
apprentice ( unpaid I believe ) in the Tata Group at the age of 21 and became
the Chairman of the flagship company Tata Sons by the age of 34. Once when
asked the secret of his success, JRD replied that since he had no university
education, he encouraged those who had.
Till a couple of decades
back, the Leftist political parties and anti-industrialists used to refer Tatas in a derogatory manner portraying
them as greedy. Tata and Birla, as a
phrase had become at that time a reference to super rich, personification of
inhumane approach to business and profits. How wrong it was.
Indian Govt. Follows Tatas:
Nowhere in the world an
elected government had taken a leaf out of the best practices of an industrial
group for the welfare of the workers. It was JRD who on his own accord had
introduced 8-hour work day, free medical aid , PF , accident compensation and
several other worker welfare initiatives. The Indian Government adopted the
same measures and made them mandatory after several years.
JRD was the only one who
introduced the concept of the worker being deemed to be “ at work” from the
moment he left his home for work till he reached home “ after work”, making
Tata Steel financially liable for any mishap to the worker to & from work.
An avid aviator, JRD was
the first Indian to obtain a pilot license
in 1929 and launched Tata aviation service in 1932. JRD started off as
Chairman of Tata Group ( Tata Sons ) with just over a dozen enterprises and
after five decades he left the group
with nearly a hundred companies. The feather in the cap was the starting of TCS
in 1968, when except the scientific community, even Indian industry had no idea of
computers and the possibilities they bring to the table.
A Humanitarian and a True Visionary:
Even several years before
Independence, JRD had founded such iconic institutes like Tata Cancer Research & Treatment Institute, Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and
National Center for Performing Arts. These institutes are the shining examples
of excellence even now like their Founder.
A few of JRD’s Famous Quotes:
Ø Money is like manure. It
stinks when you pile it ; It grows when you spread it.
Ø No success or achievement
in material terms is worthwhile, unless it is achieved by fair and honest
means.
Ø Most of our troubles are
due to poor implementation, wrong priorities and unattainable targets.
Awards bestowed on JRD were umpteen,including Bharat Ratna.
He was succeeded by Ratan Tata.
JRD Tata died on November 29th, 1993 but his memory will live on forever.
Awards bestowed on JRD were umpteen,including Bharat Ratna.
He was succeeded by Ratan Tata.
JRD Tata died on November 29th, 1993 but his memory will live on forever.
