Jamshed J Irani: The Steel Man Of India Passes Away At 86

Jamshed J Irani who retired from the board of Tata Steel in June 2011, passed away late Monday night at the age of 86

Former Tata Steel MD Jamshed J Irani.

Source : Tata Steel

New Delhi: Jamshed J Irani, known as the steel man of India, died in Jamshedpur on late Monday night, Tata Steel said. He was 86.

"The Steel Man of India passes away. It is with profound grief that Tata Steel informs of the demise of Padma Bhushan Dr Jamshed J Irani," Tata Steel said in a statement.

Irani passed away on October 31, 2022 at 10 PM at TMH (Tata Main Hospital) in Jamshedpur. He retired from the board of Tata Steel in June 2011, leaving behind a legacy of 43 years, which won him and the company international acclaim in various fields.

Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran, said, "Dr J J Irani was a quintessential Tata man. He was a towering corporate personality whose contribution to the steel industry was immense. Dr Irani will be deeply missed by all of us at Tata Group and we pray for his departed soul."

Born on June 2, 1936 in Nagpur to Jiji Irani and Khorshed Irani, Irani completed his BSc from Science College, Nagpur in 1956 and MSc in Geology from Nagpur University in 1958. He went to the University of Sheffield in UK as a J N Tata scholar, where he secured a Masters in Metallurgy in 1960, and a PhD in Metallurgy in 1963.

Irani started his professional career with the British Iron and Steel Research Association in Sheffield in 1963, but always yearned to contribute to the Nation's progress. He returned to India to join The Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel), as it was then known, in 1968, and joined the firm as assistant to the director in-charge of Research and Development.

He went on to become General Superintendent in 1978, general manager in 1979, and president of Tata Steel in 1985. He became joint managing director of Tata Steel in 1988, and managing director in 1992 before retiring in 2001.

He joined the board of Tata Steel in 1981 and was also a non-executive director from 2001 for a decade. Besides Tata Steel and Tata Sons, Irani also served as a Director of several Tata Group companies, including Tata Motors and Tata Teleservices.

He also held the post of national president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 1992-93. He was conferred several honours, including his appointment as International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996 and an Honorary Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contributions to Indo-British Trade and Co-operation.

He was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2007 for his contribution to industry. Irani was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India in 2008 as acknowledgement to his services in the area of metallurgy.

"He will be fondly remembered as a visionary leader who led Tata Steel from the forefront during India’s economic liberalisation in the early 1990’s and immensely contributed to the growth and development of the steel industry in India," Tata Steel said. Irani is survived by his wife Daisy Irani and his three children, Zubin, Niloufer, and Tanaaz.

CII's Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, “Deeply saddened at the passing away of Dr Irani. A titan and a father figure to CII and me, who was always kind and reached out to all. He guided CII and Indian industry into new territories for innovation, quality and social commitment. As CII President in 1992-93, he was deeply involved in the industry advocacy for economic reforms and also in encouraging businesses to align to the new policies of openness. He pioneered industry efforts in quality and led the missions for corporate governance and CSR in CII. His passion for ensuring the entitlements of all segments of society say him lead Indian Industry’s efforts in Affirmative Action. He leaves a formidable legacy of excellence in corporate strategy and inclusion that all can learn from.”

“Anguished at the passing away of Dr Jamshed J Irani. A giant in the firmament of industry, he shaped its trajectory over the decades at a time when India was undertaking its economic reforms process. With his committed initiatives for inclusive and sustainable growth, he set an example for corporate engagement in social and community work. I shall deeply miss his guidance and sage advice, as will my colleagues in CII and the larger Indian Industry. He remains in our heart as a guide and mentor,” Sanjiv Bajaj, President, CII said.

With PTI inputs