Piloting a Nation through Uncharted Territories: The JRD Tata Story

Bhubaneswar: In the archives of Indian industry, few names resonate with the same authority and admiration as Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, fondly known as JRD Tata. He was not only an exceptional business leader but a compassionate human being. One of the most memorable evenings was from the grounds of the National Centre for the Performing Arts when Tata employees were felicitating JRD on the Bharat Ratna awarded to him in 1992. Towards the latter part of his speech, JRD addressed his people, “My friends, I should say my children…….”. Every eye was moist because they knew he meant it.

Born in Paris on July 29, 1904, JRD`s upbringing as the second child of Ratanji Dadabhai Tata and his French wife Sooni instilled in him a global perspective. JRD schooled in Paris (France), Bombay (India) and Yokohama (Japan). Whatever he touched, he adorned. His mother tongue was French, and he loved the language. When he settled in India in his early twenties, he mastered the English language. He took endless trouble selecting the exact words to express his thoughts. Such attention to detail indicates his respect for language and his belief in the power of words to influence, inspire, and lead. It is impressive to know that JRD’s personal library housed a collection of approximately 7,000 books, spanning subjects from aviation and science to history and literature. JRD never did things by halves but always wanted to excel. When he took to flying, he read almost all the books he could get hold of on aviation in the 1920s. When he began to play golf, he read books on golf. When he decided to learn tennis and bridge, he studied the material for the two games. JRD’s love and passion for sports inspired the creation of the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, a state-of-the-art facility.

JRD Tata’s deep love for India was evident even before he first visited the country in 1925. In one of his letters, addressed to his father, R.D Tata, in 1921, JRD wrote, “You say in your letter that I shall have to go to India in 1922. You can’t imagine how glad I am……… How much I would like to begin at once to work in Bombay to be able to unburden in a few years of a part of your work.”  It was not until he was twenty-one that he settled down in India. As a citizen of France, JRD served in the army for a year. He wanted to study at Cambridge (where a seat was reserved for him) but was recalled to India by RD Tata and was inducted into the House of Tatas for training in 1925. In 1938, at the age of thirty-four, he became the Chairman of the largest industrial group in India. When asked in an interview, how did he discharge his responsibilities with his limited formal education? In his answers, lay the greatest principle of management. He said, “Because of lack of technical knowledge, my main contribution in management was to encourage others……. At times, it involved suppressing yourself. It is painful but necessary……To lead men, you have to lead them with affection.”

In 1942, JRD was first attracted to participating actively in the freedom struggle, but he held himself back. His role was to forge the economic independence of India. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded from 14 companies to 95, spanning diverse sectors like steel, aviation, power generation, IT, and consumer products. One of the JRD’s most celebrated achievements was his pioneering role in Indian aviation. In 1932, he founded Tata Airlines, India’s first commercial airline, which later became Air India. As India’s first licensed pilot, JRD personally piloted the inaugural flight, flying a single-engine De Havilland Puss Moth from Karachi to Bombay. When asked what the most satisfying experience of his life has been, JRD replied, “The flying experience has dominated, and no other can equal the excitement of the first solo flight. Next is Air India……”.  JRD’s leadership was characterised by his relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering belief in the potential of Indian industry. It was he who started Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Chemicals, Voltas, Tata Tea, and Tata Industries.  Under JRD’s Chairmanship, Tata Steel saw significant modernisation and expansion, solidifying its global reputation. He emphasised the importance of both empathy and perfectionism. In a letter to a young manager, JRD wrote, “We must strive for perfection in everything we do, not because it is required, but because it is our duty to our country and ourselves.”

JRD Tata’s legacy extends far beyond business. On the social scene, he was the first national voice to call for family planning. Though Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru disagreed with him, for forty years, he pursued a campaign to promote family planning, primarily through the agency he founded- the Family Planning Association of India. He was awarded the ‘UN Population Award’ for his work. Jawaharlal Nehru and JRD Tata shared a relationship characterised by mutual respect and a common goal of nation-building. Still, they had significant differences in their economic philosophies and approaches to development.  JRD Tata, one of the key architects of the Bombay Plan, along with GD Birla, Lala Shree Ram, John Mathai, Ardeshir Dalal, AD Shroff, and others, envisioned its implementation as a blueprint for India’s economic development, emphasising rapid industrialisation, substantial public investment in infrastructure and a balanced role for both public and private sectors to achieve self-reliance and modernisation.

JRD’s joy of achievement extended beyond business and economics to the institutions he helped create and to the people he helped. Two national institutions- the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).  – were started because of his support and vision.  The third one, the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), was inaugurated by him in 1988. Envisaging the power of atomic energy, JRD once wrote, “Although nuclear physics is today still in the realm of pure science, this branch of science will make available man to a new, immense and inexhaustible source of motive power. She has the men of world renown like Homi Bhaba, Chandrashekhar and others, and given proper facilities, she is more than capable of holding her own”. JRD was also the first leading industrialist to recognise the responsibilities of business towards rural uplift. He suggested the industry established in the countryside to “adopt” the villages in its neighbourhood. To put JRD’s ideas into action, the Articles of Association of leading Tata Companies were amended, and social obligations beyond the welfare of their employees were accepted as part of the company’s objectives. Clearly, JRD’s focus was people’s happiness and welfare. Hearing that an American economist had noted that India would be an ‘economic superpower’ in the next century, JRD told an audience, “I don’t want India to be an economic supervisor; I want India to be a happy country.” JRD always cared for the less fortunate, which was reflected in the scale and extent of his philanthropic activities. He established JRD Tata Trust, Thelma  J. Tata Trust, and Tata Memorial Hospital. The Tata Memorial Hospital stands out for its pioneering work in cancer treatment, embodying Tata’s vision of using resources to make a meaningful difference in society.

As we journey through the intricacies of today’s corporate landscape, JRD Tata’s timeless values light the way, inspiring us to understand that authentic leadership extends beyond the confines of the boardroom and creates a lasting impact on society. His invaluable insights encourage us to envision grandeur possibilities, uphold integrity, and pursue the greater good. His timeless principles remain relevant today, guiding the Tata Group and other Indian enterprises. His belief in ethical business practices is celebrated at Tata Steel during Ethics Month, commemorating his birth anniversary. In his inaugural address at the J.R.D. Tata Foundation for Business Ethics at the Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur, on March 4, 1991, he stated, “There has indeed been a need to rekindle old principles and ethical values which, alas, have too often been ignored or neglected in recent years in the belief that quicker profits and greater accumulation of wealth would be the result. Our own experience in Tatas has shown that this is a false belief.”

Even today, JRD’s integrity, social responsibility, and visionary thinking principles offer valuable lessons for modern leaders. As the world grapples with corporate governance and sustainability challenges, JRD’s legacy is a beacon of ethical leadership. JRD Tata was ahead of his time in emphasising environmental responsibility and sustainable practices within the Tata group’s operations. He implemented measures to minimise environmental impact, such as efficient waste management and pollution control. Jamshedpur, a city founded by Tata Steel, reflects JRD Tata’s vision of a well-planned and sustainable urban environment. Under his leadership, the city was developed with a strong focus on employee welfare, infrastructure and environmental stewardship. His focus on ethical business practices, social responsibility, and relentless pursuit of excellence continues to guide the Tata Group and other Indian enterprises.

The world calls Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata ‘the legendary Indian industrialist’. He was powerful and glorious, yet people remember him for his smile, the warmth, and the care he showed everyone. JRD said, “I want to be remembered as an honest man who did his duty.” This is what every one of us should try to be — “an honest individual who does their duty.”

• Chanakya Chaudhary