JRD Tata- A life extraordinaire

For more than two generations, JRD Tata proved to be a live example to show people how business should be done and that too with a humane touch. Born in Paris in 1904, JRD was born into the affluent Tata family of India. He became Tata Group’s fourth chairman in 1938 when he was just 34 years old. He was a very successful chairman and under his able leadership, Tata’s assets climbed from Rs.62 crore in 1939 to over Rs.10, 000 crore in 1990.

In 1993, the year of his death, the sales were over 150 billion contributed by over 50 large manufacturing companies under the group, besides countless holdings, subsidiaries, investment and associate concerns, etc. As an industrialist, JRD Tata is credited with placing the Tata Group on the international map. In fact, JRD is also credited with bringing commercial aviation to India.

As a patrol of Arts, he was looked upon by Indian artists, sculptors and performing artists. It is a notable fact that under his leadership, the Tatas became the biggest buyers, promoters and supporters of art in the country. Apart from that, he was also respected as a philanthropist, for keeping alive and building the well-known and super active Tata charitable trusts.

It has to be kept in mind that JRD did not have it all easy. He had to face many challenges and win over many situations to reach the heights he managed to in his life.  He was a great leader and a superb motivator. He strongly believed in the idea that Leadership meant motivating others. In his own words, “As a chairman, my main responsibility is to inspire trust”.

As a university dropout, JRD Tata was a self-taught entrepreneur. He also played a significant role in building a bridge between the scientific establishment and the government through his founding of The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Apart from this, he was also the longest serving member of the Atomic Energy Commission. He was an inspiring man who wanted India to be a happy country and did his best to make it one.