Remembering JRD SPECIAL EDITION SPECIAL

In Salutation : A Compilation of Anecdotes and Experiences of Ex-employees, with JRD Tata edition July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Times Team www.tatasteel.com When JRD’s 'Favourite Child' was Taken Away

India and the rest, as they say, is particularly after Mr Morarji Desai history. became the Prime Minister. Mr Desai had suggested to JRD that For me, joining TISCO was not should stop serving completely smooth sailing. liquor on all its flights. JRD After the first few months in politely refused as this would Jamshedpur, I was preparing to have had a negative impact return to Sheffield when, almost on the Airline's passenger providentially, I ran into JRD count. Shortly afterwards, once again. This time, he made Dr JJ Irani the Government took the Managing Director, Tata Steel changes that ensured I stayed back unprecedented step of removing in Tata Steel, for the rest of my JRD was my father in the JRD from the chairmanship of the working life! professional world and whatever airline, which he had built brick- I have achieved in my career at In the 1970s, JRD became an by-brick, to being one of the best Tata Steel, I owe to his invaluable ardent supporter of the family in the world. This drastic action guidance and support. planning movement in India. was taken without the courtesy I recall his precious words: “before We in Tata Steel, also started of even informing him. That you can be good at anything, programmes, one of which was to evening, we had all gathered for you must be a good man.” He give a stipend of `200, to every dinner with JRD in Jamshedpur. exemplified this belief throughout employee and their spouse who When he entered the room, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata his life, in all his actions and underwent the necessary minor there was an ominous silence till surgery. When I proudly mentioned (July 29,1904 – November 29, 1993) dealings with his colleagues and someone raised the topic. I clearly friends, thus leaving an indelible this sum to him, he exploded remember JRD’s sad comment: “I impact on anyone who was saying, “Jamshed! only `200? feel like someone whose favourite fortunate enough to come in make it `2,000!” His reason being, child has been taken away.” Very contact with him. population control was more often, after that unfortunate important for India, than blast event, I had mentioned to JRD I was a Tata Scholar under the Trust furnaces and steel melting shops. that I hoped TISCO was his set up by our Founder Jamsetji He did not get on well with second favourite child. I never got Tata, the JN Tata Endowment for a reply. the Higher Education of Indians. India’s topmost political echelon, I studied Metallurgy at Sheffield University in the UK, without any obligation to return to India after JRD Empowered Tata Steel the completion of my course. One fine day, I received a letter to Succeed from Ms Pilloo Vesugar, who was, The great vision and leadership at that point, the Programme-in- of JRD Tata enabled Tata Steel Charge. She informed me, that to cross all hurdles and achieve JRD Tata had read the report on targets on all fronts. I have my progress and had made a been a witness to the great note therein that read: “if ever this transformation of the old Steel young man wishes to come back Plant into a modern one, which to India, he should first knock on undoubtedly, is one of the best the doors of Tata Iron and Steel Co.” in the world. I am proud to have I replied in the affirmative and did been associated with the Tata Mr Prakash Ghosh just that during my next visit to Manager - Training Steel plant for 37 years. 2 July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Tata Steel Times Team www.tatasteel.com My Experiences with JRD readily explained in detail. This is a of rare quality, one that I felt set him Company and used to walk apart from other business heads. down from . On one occasion, when I was During my days with heading towards Bombay Mr Sabavala, he called III House, I saw them walking me one day and said that Mr Tata outside the Sri Lankan wanted to use a quote from Sir Consulate, on their way to Winston Churchill on Russia, but the New India Building. To my was unable to get it. Mr Sabavala great surprise and joy, I saw had by then, tried various sources Mr S Guru Bhaskara an elderly shoeshine person Secretary to Managing Director and had drawn a blank. Those were pointing out to the duo and pre-internet days and so one could It was around 9.30 am telling a new recruit in Tamil, not Google a quote! I decided to as I rushed to the lift, “Do you know who that I visit the British Council Library half-panting, turning only person is? He is the head of where I was a member. After some to see JRD Tata alighting Tatas and he is walking!” The scouring, I was able to locate the from his green American incident by itself is minor, but quote. I copied it, rushed back to sedan. I stood aside, my eyes it illustrates Mr Tata’s modesty Bombay House, typed it out, and glued to the floor, waiting as a benchmark of his quality handed it over to Mr Sabavala, who for Mr Tata to board the lift. as a human being. As he approached the lift, promptly sent it to JRD Tata with he gently guided me into the words, “Dug out by the Guru of Though it does it before getting in himself. TISCO.” I recall that Mr Tata wrote VI not pertain to any Just as the door was about to back, “Thanks” on the note. An personal interaction, or an close, an elderly gentleman inspiring leader and yet so humble. incident where JRD Tata was present, I am narrating this in traditional Indian attire got It must have been in because of the impact his in. As we were ascending, the late–1980’s. I was IV very name has. I am 85 now I noticed him intently working for Mr Russi Mody on the and I think this happened observing Mr Tata, when he 3rd floor of Bombay House. His over 60 years ago. My brother, finally asked, “Sir, are you secretariat, which I shared with who was employed in the Mr JRD Tata?” This was closely his Executive Assistant, was in an Tata Steel Sales Branch Office followed by, “I am sure you adjoining room. One day, while located in the New India happen to be Mr Tata!” His Mr Mody was out of town, we Assurance Building, suggested awe was met with a smile had a surprise visitor. It was JRD that I try for a job in Air India, and the reply, “Yes, I happen Tata and he was accompanied by which also had an office in the to be!” Mr Sharokh Sabavala and some same building. He arranged aides. He inspected my room When I was working for an interview through a thoroughly, looked at the ceiling with Mr Sharokh contact and as I was deeply II and remarking on the inadequate Sabavala, Mr Tata’s secretary, interested in aeroplanes and brightness, searched for the right I used to visit Jamshedpur the aviation sector, I was word to describe what he had in frequently, mainly on the hopeful of making a mark. I mind. His aides suggested a couple occasion of Founder’s Day, visited Air India in my best of terms but could not satisfy on March 3, which was hand-me-downs on the day of him. I suddenly said out loud, attended by JRD Tata and the interview! It went off very “Could it be ‘lumen’, Sir?” Mr Tata most of the Directors on well, and at last, came the exclaimed, “That’s it!”and gave me the Board. On one such clincher from across the table, a look that I fervently hoped, was visit, I was summoned by “Can you name the Chairman complimentary! Mr Tata to his room in the of Air India?” I couldn’t believe Directors’ Bungalow. I went in This happened in the early the simplicity of the question. nervously. Asking me to have V 60’s when I had just joined “JRD Tata!”, I blurted out in a seat, he said he wished to Tata Steel. Bruce Street, as it was my excitement. “Mr JRD Tata, dictate a letter. It went off then called, had a number of young man!” The words came well and while taking his shoeshine stands on the kerbs like a slap. At that moment, I notes, I tried to understand on either side in front of the Sri knew the interview was over. what it was about. It was a Lankan Consulate and Central I thanked the interviewer, letter to the Steel Ministry. Bank, manned mostly by natives of wished him a good day, and When Mr Tata was done, I Tamil Nadu. New India Assurance tottered out of the door. Over- stood up and asked whether Company, closely associated with enthusiasm had cost me a job he minded if I asked him a the House of Tata, had its own and taught me a never-to-be- question and when he said building less than a furlong away, forgotten lesson! that I could, I expressed my in Flora Fountain. As Directors, difficulty in comprehending JRD Tata and Mr JD Choksi JRD Tata as a conscript in the French Army a certain point, which he attended the Board Meetings

Once, JRD Tata on a visit to all the companies in Jamshedpur, flew his plane and often, during meetings The over a large area and asked with his business heads, asked If you want the gathering of the officers questions for clarifications excellence, you Aeroplane and their families to guess but left the final decision for the height of the plane. A them to take. Mr Tata used to must aim for lady came up with the right practise yoga every morning, perfection. and Other answer and was given a prize! even during his visits to - JRD Tata JRD Tata was the Chairman of Jamshedpur. Mr S P Sarathy Stories Chief Administrative Officer, Chairman's Office 3 July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Tata Steel Times Team www.tatasteel.com The Rickshaw Race collected it. Mr Mody asked Mr Bhasin to return the trophy to Mr Tata at once. When the Our Team's Encounter with Mr JRD Tata award was returned, Mr Mody In 1979/80 our team was in Bombay and had made a hat-trick in winning three requested Mr Tata to award the trophy to himself. As I was consecutive all-India tournaments. Viz:-Inter Zone at Hyderabad, All India Open, Nagpada standing just behind Mr Tata, I Neighborhood and Ramu Memorial tournaments and both were held at Bombay. heard him whisper to Mr Mody, (Sankaran at that time had undergone a major operation at Vellore and recouping.) “Russi, in that case, I should be collecting the trophy!” (As he was I was the captain-cum-Manager and we were invited by Mr S R Subbaraman (Company Mr A J Asok Kumar Secretary) for lunch at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Divisional Manager the group Chairman). In the mid-1980’s, on the Later, as the event drew to a We were to meet him at Bombay House and the whole team, including the two seven- occasion of Founder’s Day, close, a guard of honour by footers stood in line at Bombay House waiting for the lift. The elevator was very small JRD Tata was present when a the security personnel was cycle rickshaw race was being organised, followed by a Tubes and could take only 3 or 4 people at a time. When we were in line waiting suddenly organised. Russi Mody, the then Division band. JRD Tata asked Panda, one of our seven-footers, said in a whisper: “Peeche Dekhiye.” I turned and saw our CMD, drove one rickshaw with one of the ladies sitting next to beloved Chairman, JRD Tata, standing in line for his turn. We all moved out to make way JRD Tata as the passenger and him: “Hey, what am I supposed for him, but he refused and took his turn. everybody had a lot of fun! to do now?” The lady responded, “You are not wearing any cap The Tubes Division was When we narrated this to Mr Subbaraman he just said: “He is always like that and will so you should just stiffen your adjudged the winner for their always wait for his turn, we are used to it.” body while accepting the guard floats. When the winning of honour.” He protested in a This is an extract from the chapter, 'Basketball Anecdotes of Jamshedpur', from the book titled, 'Nuggets of Jamshedpur and team was requested to collect Tata Steel', authored by Mr A J Asok Kumar. whisper: “But I think I still have the trophy from JRD Tata, a few strands of hair left on Mr RK Bhasin, the then Head, my head!” Tubes Division, came and

JRD at On a Flight with JRD and other Stories said, “Kapadia, I came to see you water on the lawns. I suggested Adityapur. The workers would Jamadoba twice. Once you were asleep and to JRD that we should prepare an have none of it. They said the the second time you were not in alternate location for the function. Founder could not leave the your seat!” He responded that the lawns hallowed grounds of the plant! In another incident, it was either would dry up by the day after! I was asked to find a suitable the 75th or the 80th anniversary The exhibition was set up again location for this small statue. of the Company’s establishment. overnight and the lawns did dry I could think of no better Indira Gandhi was invited. I was up the day after. The function was location than the GS Office the General Superintendent then held as per schedule. lawns for the statue to overlook and a grand exhibition was set Before this event, we had a small the main arterial road of the Mr Yezad Kapadia plant, so that the incoming General Manager (Operations) up in front of the west entrance statue of our Founder, adorning to the GS Office. A gala function the main entrance to the plant. and outgoing workers could I was assigned to the Blast was to take place on the GS Office JRD Tata had commissioned a pay their respects during the Mr Uttam Chakraborty Furnace Department, which in lawns. We had cyclonic weather, famous sculptor from to change of shifts! Supply Executive the 60’s was not performing as accompanied by heavy rain, the make a huge statue of the Founder. The year was 1987. per targets due to some faults day before. The structure that The Management decided to shift JRD Tata was visiting in the plan. On his annual visits, was to house the exhibition was the small statue to the plant at Jamadoba for the JRD Tata refused to stop by blown away. There was ankle-deep inauguration of the first this department until we could Fluidised Bed Combustion increase our output sufficiently, (FBC) Power Plant, a first- so that the Company could of-its-kind captive plant start making reasonable in India, commissioned profits again. by BHEL. Perhaps my most enduring JRD Tata, accompanied memory of JRD Tata was the by Russi Mody, the then time we both were on the same CMD, went up to the flight back to India. I greeted third floor of the plant him casually and he asked me control room with ease what was I doing outside India. and interacted with the He was told that the Company operators there. During had sent me abroad to study the inauguration, there the latest developments in iron was a heavy downpour, and steel making. He was most and consequently, a severe interested to know what I had electrical fault occurred in observed and said, “Kapadia, the plant, letting out huge I will come and see you.” He amount of steam and a went to the First Class and I power outage. proceeded to the Economy. JRD granted permission Suddenly, it was time to land to stop the plant to check in Mumbai. I thought maybe the steam emission he had forgotten all about our and noise, in order to conversation. At the baggage conduct the inauguration claim, we met once more. He JRD with Air India crew members ceremony. 4 July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Tata Steel Times Team www.tatasteel.com JRD at the Asian Games some time with him under match. He commented with wonderful circumstances. a great sense of humour that football should be played In 1982, India hosted the by penguins, as one was not 9th Asian Games in Delhi. It was supposed to touch the ball a great occasion for the country with one’s hands! He was very and I was closely associated with happy to hear that I played for organisational aspects of the Tata Steel and Bihar. Upon being event. As a privilege, I was given spotted by some children, he two Golden Passes that gave gladly obliged them with his Mr P N Sankaran me access to all the stadiums Sr Divisional Manager - Sports autograph. He was very happy and facilities associated with the because the Asian Games extravaganza. At the outset, I Over my long association with promoted the construction of invited Russi Mody, our MD at the Tata Steel, I had the good modern facilities in India. time, to come and have a look at fortune of interacting with JRD the arrangements and watch the When the work for the JRD Tata on a couple of occasions. events up-close. Tata Sports Complex was to The first was at the Inter Tata start, Mr Mody called me and Sports Meet in Bombay (now Mr Mody did take the opportunity asked me to take charge. We Mumbai) in 1962. I represented and I took him around the succeeded in finishing the job Tata Steel in the 10 km facilities. He was highly impressed on time and at a very low cost. walkathon. JRD Tata hosted a with the work that had gone in The day for the inauguration dinner for all the participants, and mentioned that he would was fixed and I told Mr Mody where I had the honour of request JRD Tata to also come that I wished for a helicopter, meeting him and telling him and witness the biggest sporting to escort JRD Tata from the about my participation in event India was hosting. Directors Bungalow to the the event and also my role in JRD Tata made a day-long visit to Sports Complex. This was Tata Steel. It took exactly two the Asian Games and we ended arranged and JRD Tata was decades after this to meet him up in the evening at the Nehru delighted, particularly with the in person again and spend Stadium, to watch a football helicopter parade! Dr Homi Bhabha introducing JRD Tata to Nobel Prize winner, Dr Neils Bohr, with Jamshed Bhabha

JRD at the Rolling Mill At Home with JRD of ISRM, a re-rolling mill. see the operation of a rolling mill. your hearing.” We could feel how There was a get-together While all others were viewing genuinely concerned he was for at the Beldih Club Grounds, the mill, I observed that JRD Tata his employees. to honour JRD Tata’s visit to had quietly isolated himself and I was told of an incident when Jamshedpur. Dr JJ Irani very joined our small group, standing the plan of JRD Tata Sports kindly introduced me to him, at attention. He quickly made us Complex was shown to him. as the person who had just comfortable and started chatting He simply pointed out that returned to the Company after with us. I admired his elegance and the viewing gallery should his deputation. At once, JRD simplicity, wherefrom I understood be rectified suitably, so that made me comfortable in his why prominent people from Mr Swastik Gupta the sun’s rays did not affect Mr S Ramanathan presence by asking me about around the world fondly called Manager, Pre-Projects Sr Manager (Maintenance System) the eyes of the spectators. my experience on deputation, him simply “JRD”. He made us feel We were amazed at his keen I had been sent to the town, the products, the I was working in MLSM, at home with questions like, “Is the observation and sound technical Nagapattnam on deputation mill and the workforce. Medium and Light Structural plant always this noisy? Doesn’t knowledge as this aspect had as the Superintendent Mill at that time when we the noise from the plant make been completely overlooked were told that JRD Tata would you uncomfortable? Take care of like to visit our plant, just to by all else. A Human Touch

In 1989, I lost my wife Rukmani in the tragic incident of fire in Jamshedpur on Founder’s Day. JRD Tata cancelled his trip to France and returned to Jamshedpur. He visited my house and condoled with me in person. He met my children and interacted with them as Mr M K Venkatanarayan well. It was an unforgettable Divisional Manager - Industrial moment. Engineering Division

Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without deep thought and hard work. At the U N Population Award ceremony 1992, with Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali, U N Secretary-General on his left - JRD Tata 5 July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Tata Steel Times Team www.tatasteel.com A Touching Gesture My Meetings with JRD against his head. He started I had joined Tata Steel in 1961 Mr Morgan Leonard lauded my called by Russi Mody, the then crying uncontrollably. The at the Joda East Iron Mines and work and introduced me to JRD MD, to prepare a project report chauffeur overheard the cries had started some initiatives Tata when he visited Noamundi. within three hours, for Mr Tata’s and immediately stopped on drilling and blasting of Upon meeting me, Mr Tata held approval. the car to take them to a hard iron ore deposits there. my hand for about five minutes. nearby hospital. After finding In the afternoon, when I was This was well appreciated by He asked me about my native out from the doctors that introduced to Mr Tata, to my Mr Morgan Leonard, who was place and wanted to know how it was a small bruise and surprise, he recalled our meeting at that time, appointed as Chief, I felt being at Noamundi. For a ensuring proper treatment, at Noamundi 20 years ago! Metal Mines & Collieries, Tata young employee of about 26, the chauffeur dropped them I presented the report and Steel, to improve mechanised it was the happiest moment of Mr K N Prabhu back home. He requested answered some points raised Assistant Divisional mining operations at Joda, my life! my wife to write a small by the MD and Mr Tata and the Manager - Training Noamundi and the coal mines. note to his boss explaining I met him for the second time project was approved. I have had After about two years at Joda, My wife had been visiting his delay in reaching office. on March 3, 1983, on the the good fortune of meeting him I was transferred to Noamundi her parents for a short My family was astonished occasion of the Founder’s Day on several occasions thereafter, Iron Mines in late 1963. It took while with our four-year- when they came to know celebrations at Jamshedpur. but these two incidents have me about six months to make old son in Santacruz, that his employer was none JRD Tata was visiting and the been the most memorable. significant improvements in Mumbai. One day, she other than JRD Tata! My Company required high purity drilling and blasting operations, decided to meet some father-in-law wrote him Dolomite, for the lining of the which ultimately led to an - Mohammad Fasihuddin relatives, for which she a letter appreciating the steel mills as the project had to increased production of iron ore General Manager - (OM&Q) had to avail of public good work done by his start as soon as possible. I was at Noamundi. transport from Santacruz chauffeur. That very evening, (East). She was at the the chauffeur brought a zebra crossing, but due to note from Mr Tata to my heavy traffic, vehicles were father-in-law, apologising moving slowly. As they for the unfortunate incident waited, a long and wide and mentioning a contact foreign car moved close to number to be reached the pavement where my should any further assistance son was standing and a be required in this regard. protrusion from the back We were deeply touched by of the vehicle brushed his gesture.

Sharing a Seat with JRD

see JRD Tata seated in the front row amongst the guests. I was waiting at the entrance since there was no place to sit. After about five minutes, I saw JRD Tata waving at me. Taken aback, I went up to him and, as I got closer, he whispered to me to take a seat. Touched, I thanked him profusely and assured him that I would help Mr H Ramakrishnan Manager - Administration (South) myself and manage to get a seat somewhere at the back. To this, he said that in case I didn’t find one, I I joined Tata Steel in February, could return and share the seat with 1992. Possibly in the month of him. I was both amazed and moved August that year, there was an by his humbleness and can never event in Dimna, where a dance forget this incident. recital was organised as part of a cultural event. I entered the enclosure for the guests a little after the event had started. I could

Uncommon thinkers reuse what common thinkers refuse. - JRD Tata

JRD Tata and Sylla in Japanese costumes at Yokohama in 1917, where they spent a year and a half 6 July 29, 2021 | A Special Publication from the Tata Steel Times Team www.tatasteel.com JRD: Simple, The Tall Hedge JRD Tata was visiting Jamshedpur pride. Mr Tata admired the display superintendent that the hedge on the occasion of Founder’s with keen interest. was being grown vertically Humane and Day in the 70’s. Jubilee Park in order to prevent people from At that time, he also noticed looked resplendent and was coming over and stealing the a small child outside the rose veneered with beautiful flowers. prized roses. Caring garden who was jumping up and The Public Relations and Town down in order to catch a glimpse Dissatisfied, JRD commented, Administration team escorted of the roses, but his vision was ”But surely, the hedge can be the Chairman around the park. blocked by the surrounding made shorter and wider. It will The Superintendent of Parks & tall green hedge. JRD enquired serve the same purpose!” Gardens took him to the rose why the hedge was made to Mr Vinaya Nand Pandey garden and showed him the Sr Manager, Management grow so tall. He was told by the Development hundreds of varieties of roses with Driving JRD Tata Mr B P Sarkar Head (Product & Market Development) JRD Tata would never miss an Company employees. Sarathy should be told to senior executives led by occasion to visit Jamshedpur stand next to him. I will Mr Russi Mody. Mr Tata walked JRD Tata was a visionary who Upon receiving the request, on Founder’s Day. He was approach them and request up to his car and shook hands strongly believed in ethical Mr Tata could not recall extremely fond of Jamshedpur him for a photograph”. with the chauffeur. He then practices and the welfare of the chauffeur. He asked his and its people, who, in turn, requested the chauffeur to pose his employees. People who secretary to pass on the On March 2, the Chairman’s have always reciprocated his for a photograph with him. The came in touch with him were following instruction to the flight landed at Sonari Airport love. During one such visit, an Company’s photographer took awed by his simplicity, humane MD’s Office in Jamshedpur: and JRD Tata alighted to a elderly and seasoned chauffeur a picture of JRD with him. JRD nature and care for apparently “When I reach Jamshedpur rousing reception from the drove his official car and thanked Mr Sarathy and said, even the most negligible things by the Company’s plane, Mr eventually grew very fond of “Please send the photograph in life. Mr Tata. One day, he confided in to my office in Bombay. I will I had the opportunity of his superior that he would love autograph it. My office will get meeting him twice. Once, to have a photograph of himself it framed at the best studio and during a marketing conference with Mr Tata. His superior send it back to Jamshedpur. in Mumbai in 1984, and promptly passed on the request Please have it personally again in the same year when to Mr SP Sarathy, who was the delivered to his home, with my he inaugurated the officers’ secretary to Russi Mody, the compliments.” residential building at Penn then MD. Mr Sarathy conveyed Road, Alipore, . This was this request to Mr Mody who, the first residential building, in in turn, asked him to forward Kolkata, built by Tata Steel for it to the Chairman’s Office in the officers. Russi Mody was Bombay, as JRD Tata insisted on hosting this inaugural function, personally going through and attended by officers of Tata responding to all requests from Steel, Kolkata. Beyond the entrance of this building, there was a wide cemented road, meant for cars to go up to the main building. This space was also supposed to double up as the residents’ children’s play area. The joints in this cemented road had When you work, work as if bitumen protrusions. everything depends on you. When When JRD Tata entered the compound, he struck the you pray, pray as if everything protrusions with his toe a depends on God. few times as he was visibly - JRD Tata concerned about children getting hurt while playing. I was amazed to see that even a minor matter like this did not escape his attention. I wish to convey my heartfelt respect and salutes to him through this edition.

A view of Marine Lines, Bombay DISCLAIMER As much as we would have liked to have incorporated all your valuable inputs, anecdotes and recollections, we have been able to include only those that were best suited and in keeping with the spirit of this special edition.