J.R.D. Tata was one of the most enterprising Indian entrepreneurs. He was a pioneer aviator and built one of the most largest industrial houses of India.

He was born on 29th July, 1904 in Paris. His mother was a French, while father was Parsi. JRD’s full name was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and he was popularly known as Jeh to his friends. JRD’s father Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and Sri Jamshedji Tata shared their greatness from the same great great grandfather, Ervad Jamshed Tata, a priest of Navsari.

JRD Tata was the second of four children. He studied in France, Japan and England before being drafted into the French army for a mandatory one-year period. JRD wanted to extend his services in the forces but destiny had something else in store for him. By leaving the French army JRD’s life was saved because shortly thereafter, the regiment in which he served was totally wiped out during an expedition in Morocco.

Although a friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, he disagreed with his economic philosophy and made no bones about expressing his personal opinion. There was no fear in him. He was more Indian than most. Not only did he speak eloquently, whatever he had to say came straight from the heart. He was listened to with much respect.

With more than 60 years of experience in top management, he developed his own philosophy and method, where leadership concerned. ‘One of the qualities of leadership is to assess what is needed to get the best results for an enterprise.’ JRD sometimes referred to as the ‘Chairmen’s Chairman’. JRD adopted a management by consensus style : “When a no. of persons are involved I am definitely a consensus man; but that does not mean that I do not disagree or that I do not express my views. Basically it is a question of having to deal with individual men heading different enterprises. You have to adopt yourself to their ways and deal accordingly and draw out the best in each man. To be a leader you have got to lead human beings with affection.”

He was appointed at such a young age as chairman of Tata Sons, when senior, more distinguished men like Sir Homi Mody and Sir Ardeshir Dalal were on the board, he shrugged it off and said, “It was an aberration.” When pressed for a reply, he said, “Perhaps, because I was hardworking.” Because of a lack of technical knowledge, my main contribution in management was to encourage others; he further said.

He elaborated on how he dealt with each man in his own way and brought out the best in people. “At times it involved suppressing yourself. It is painful but necessary… To lead men, you have to lead with affection.” Tata willingly financed bright young boys who wanted to go abroad for further education.

In 1956, he initiated a program of ‘Employee Association with Management.’ to give workers a stronger voice in the affairs of the company. He firmly believed in employee welfare and espoused the principles of an eight hour working day, free medical aid, workers’ provident scheme, and workmen’s accident compensation scheme, which were later, adopted as statutory requirements in India.

As an industrialist, JRD Tata is credited with placing the Tata Group on the international map. As an aviator and pioneer flier, he broght commercial aviation to India.

JRD Tata was the 1st Indian pilot to qualify for a British private license. He founded Tata Airlines in 1932 and by 1953, it developed and came to be known as Indian Airlines. Till 1978, Tata was the Chairman of the Indian Airlines and Air India.

Tata Steel pioneered the eight hour day in 1912, introduced leave with pay in 1920 and in India this was established by law in 1945. It set up a provident fund in 1920, which was not legalized until 1952.

According to him, quality had to match innovation. He intensely disliked the laid-back Indian attitude, and much of his fabled short temper was triggered by the carelessness of others. He stressed : “If you want excellence, you must aim at perfection. It takes a lot of energy out of you but that’s the only way you finally actually achieve excellence. So in that sense, being finicky is essential. A company, which uses the name Tata, shares a tradition. The symbol ‘T’ has to be a symbol of quality.

He had started the Tata Airlines with an English pilot, Neville Vincent, who, under the contract, was entitled to one-third share of the profits. The profits in the 1st year was 60,000 INR (at that time) and the contract was for five years. But by 1937, the profit had risen to 6 lac INR. At the time of renewal of the contract, the legal advisor to the Tatas told him that they were not bound to renew the contract on the same terms.

He knew in his heart that it was not fair to the man who, with him was responsible for establishing the airline. So he went to another solicitor who felt that enough the Tatas were leagally not bound by the same terms, morally they were. JRD, who was not even the Chairman, assured the pilot that the terms would be the same as before because it was not right & fair.

On one occasion, a senior executive of the Tata Company tried to save on taxes. When faced by JRD the executive said : “But Sir, it is not illegal.” “Not illegal, Yes. But is it right?” inquired JRD.

JRD Tata was the trustee of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust from its inception in 1932, which remained under his wings for over a half a century. Under his guidance, this trust established Asia’s 1st Cancer Hospital, the Tata Memorial Center for Cancer, Research and Treatment, Bombay 1941. He also founded the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 1936 (TISS), the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1945 (TIFR), and the National Center for Performing Arts.

JRD Tata received a no. of awards : PadmaVibhusan Award in 1957 on the eve of silver jubilee of Air India. Guggenheim Medal for aviation in 1988. Bharat Ratna Award in 1992 because of his selfless humanitarian endeavors. In the same year, JRD Tata was also bestowed with the United Nations Population Award for his crusading endeavors towards initiating and successfully implementing the family planning movement in India, much before it became an official government policy.

JRD Tata died in Geneva, Switzerland on 29th November, 1993 at the age of 89. On his death, the Indian Parliament was adjourned in his memory, an honor not usually given to non-parliament members.

3 Guiding Principles

1. Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without deep thought and hard work.
2. One must forever strive for excellence, or even perfection, in any task however small, and never be satisfied with the second best.
3. No success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people; and is achieved by fair and honest means.

Its been around eight years of this article on well respected personality, Sir JRD Tata. As I have created blog I was very confused what should be my first blog article; and then I thought let it be on Sir JRD Tata. This article was actually an assignment given to me during my Management Study. I really am grateful to my Educator Ms. Vishwa Kasundhra for bringing me to research and study this great personality. I really was, am and will be inspired by him. And after studying him I have decided that wherever I would be but will never compromise in qaulities, ethics and values. Thanks to him and Thank You God!