J R D Tata
J R D Tata was known as a perfectionist among his peers. The only industrialist to get India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna, JRD was a pioneer aviator who started civil aviation in India. In 1938, at the age of 34, J R D was elected Chairman of Tata & Sons making him the head of the largest industrial group in India.
For decades, he directed the huge Tata Group of companies, with major interests in Steel, Engineering, Power, Chemicals and Hospitality. He was famous for succeeding in business while maintaining high ethical standards. Under his chairmanship, the assets of the Tata Group grew from US$100 million to over US$5 billion.
He started with 14 enterprises under his leadership and half a century later in 1988, when he retired, Tata & Sons was a conglomerate of 95 enterprises which they either started or in which they had controlling interest. J R D’s also promoted fine arts and one of the most admired philanthropists of his time.