Posted on: 4 March 2011

Appro JRD
August 2004 | Sudha Murty

Sudha Murthy was livid when a job advertisement posted by a Tata company at the institution where she was completing her post graduation stated that 'lady candidates need not apply'. She dashed off a 'postcard' to JRD, protesting against the discrimination. It was the beginning of an association that would change her life in more ways than one
There are two photographs that hang on my office wall. Every day when I enter my office I look at them before starting my day. They are pictures of two old people, one of a gentleman in a blue suit and the other a black-and-white image of a man with dreamy eyes and a white beard.

People have asked me if the people in the photographs are related to me. Some have even asked me, "Is this black-and-white photo that of a Sufi saint or a religious guru?" I smile and reply "No, nor are they related to me. These people made an impact on my life. I am grateful to them." "Who are they?" "The man in the blue suit is Bharat Ratna JRD Tata and the black-and-white photo is of Jamsetji Tata." "But why do you have them in your office?" "You can call it gratitude."

Then, invariably, I have to tell the person the following story.

Read more at :
http://www.tata.com/aboutus/articles/inside.aspx?artid=UxG8Uwjyiks=

Sudha Murthy is the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is involved in a number of social development initiatives and is also a widely published writer.


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Read the full article : http://www.tata.com/aboutus/articles/inside.aspx?artid=UxG8Uwjyiks=

Thanks to Paresh Terse for contributing this article.

How many of us are aware that : "...The Tata Group has operations in more than 80 countries across six continents and its companies export products and services to 80 nations. The Tata Group comprises 114 companies and subsidiaries in eight business sectors,[4] 27 of which are publicly listed. 65.8% of the ownership of Tata Group is held in charitable trusts. Companies which form a major part of the group include Tata Steel (including Tata Steel Europe), Tata Motors (including Jaguar and Land Rover), Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Technologies, Tata Tea (including Tetley), Tata Chemicals, Titan Industries, Tata Power, Tata Communications, Tata Teleservices and the Taj Hotels." More at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Group

Lke JN Tata, JRD Tata is instrumental to birth of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Air India. He was to the best of what I know is first licenced pilot in India, he was Chairman of tata Group from 1938 to 1991, made real growth of Industries in India, he was believer of " what is good for India is good for tatas"He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992 and died on 29th Nov, 1993.

JRD was in real successor though he did not succeed JN Tata. JN Tata did in May 1904 and JRD was born in July 1904. JRD became Chairman of tata Sons in 1938 when he was just 34 years, he was first for many things in Industry and in India. Set benchmark for everything.

Sudha Murty's collection of short stories is really a beautiful book - must read to experience life's simple things... :-)