Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata
Introduction
The full name of J.R.D.Tata is Jehangir Raranji Dadabhai Tata. He is known throughout the world as J.R.D Tata, for short. JRD Tata has been one of the greatest builders and personalities of modern India in the twentieth century. J.R.D.Tata was born on the 29th of July, 1904 in Paris, capital of France. His father was an Indian Parsi by name, Ratanji Tata, a cousin of Jamshetji Tata. His mother was a French, by name, Sujaine. After marriage, she was renamed a Sony. The first few years of JRD's life were spent in Bombay and also France. His father was trading in precious stones, gems and rubies in these places. During this period JRD studies in the reknowned Johnson Basily scshool in Paris and also in the Cathedral school, Bombay. Ratanji happens to be the cousin of Jamshetji Tata, who started the first Indian steel unit and an electricity generation unit in spite of not being supported by the then British rulers. Jehangir Tata and Jamshetji Tata's children, Dorab and Ratan were of the same age group. To his friends and admirers, JRD was just 'Jeh'.
Education
Tata did not have much formal education in a college. He was desirous of studying in the renowned Cambridge university. But his father was of the opinion that formal college education would not be of help for industrial management. Tata's desire of going to Cambridge for studies, was unfulfilled.
Wedding
In 1930, Tata met Thelma, daughter of Vikaji at Taj Hotel in Bombay and married her. It was a love marriage. The Tata couple were not fortunate enough to beget children. Thelma was later bed-ridden and her condition worsened and she could not even move out.
Master of Industry
From the position of an apprentice in 1925 without a salary, Tata rose to the position of chairman of Tatasons just 13 years later. When his father demised, the young Tata lead all the industries. There were only 14 companies then in the Tata Group. However, after JRD took over, the number rose to a staggering 95 in a matter of 50 years. He had inherited the Tata empire in full. In the year 1991, when he handed over his position to his brother's son, Ratan Tata, the annual turnover of the Tata group of companies had crossed Rs.10,000 crs. Even though he had reached the height of industrial leadership, Tata never considered himself a great man. With all the powers, position and wealth of industrial leadership, Tata always nursed in himself a feeling that fate had deprived him of formal, higher education. He often used to give expression to this thought in him and suffered within himself. This way, he was a very simple person. Tata used to say : "I am a simple businessman. I have just made use of my opportunity for my professional and industrial progress by my devotion to duty, that is all".
Pioneer
He was the pioneer of civil aviation in India. In 1932, he introduced air transport in the country--the enterprise later became Air India. He implicitly followed the principles of business ethics of the great visionary Jamsetji Tata, his ideal. He also personally crusaded for issues that he felt were imperative for India�s development--family planning, women�s education, spread of literacy. The 100% successful family welfare schemes at Tata Steel and the various educational programmes for all, directly emanate from JRD Tata�s insight. Numerous national and international honours were bestowed on JRD Tata. These included Knight Commander�s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bessemer Medal of the Institute of Metals, London, and the United Nations Population Award. Government of India conferred the highest civilian award of the land, Bharat Ratna to JRD Tata in 1992. For all his colossal achievements, JRD Tata was a modest, sensitive man, forever espousing the cause of his employees. His natural love for people endeared him to all... across the entire spectrum of society.