Jamshed J Irani, Padma Bhushan awardee renowned Indian Industrialist lost his life on October 31, at 10 pm. Also famous with the name of “Steel Man Of India”, Irani is among the industrialists who contributed massively in shaping and evolving the steel industry of the country to new heights.
Born and brought up in Jamshedpur, Irani also took his last breath in the city, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, Daisy Irani and three children, Zubin, Niloufer, and Tanaaz.
Irani worked with Tata Steel for 43 years, starting in 1968 to 2011, during which he also served as its MD. Irani is known for evolving Tata Steel as the lowest-cost steel producer in the world, emphasising more on the quality which could compete in the international market.
Various high-level government officials mourned the demise of Irani.
Tata Steel, expressing condolences, tweeted, “We are deeply saddened at the demise of Padma Bhushan Dr. Jamshed J Irani, fondly known as the Steel Man of India. Tata Steel family offers its – deepest condolences to his family & loved ones”.
CEO and MD of Tata Steel, TV Narendran stated, “Dr. Irani had transformed Tata Steel in the nineties & made us one of the lowest-cost steel producers in the globe. He helped build a strong foundation on which we evolved in the subsequent decades. He was one of the pioneers of the – TQM movement in India. He led with courage & conviction & was a role model as well as mentor for many in Tata Steel then & even now. The employees of Tata Steel past & present are indebted to his leadership during the turbulent times”.
Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, called Irani a “changemaker”, and quoted, “Change is the outcome of steely resolve & sustained endeavour. Padma Bhushan Dr. Jamshed J Irani was a changemaker, who assisted in building trust for Brand India at global level. India is invigorated by his spirit of enterprise. Prayers for the departed soul, condolences to his family”.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Steel Man of India, Padma Bhushan Dr Jamshed J Irani Ji. His dedicated service saw the Indian steel industry transcend global heights. A leader, a revolutionary thinker, a doyen of the steel industry, his legacy will live on”, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation & Steel noted.
Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC, penning a heartfelt tribute message for Irani, tweeted, “We pay our tributes to former Managing Director of Tata Steel, Dr. Jamshed J. Irani, fondly known as the steel man of India and would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his close ones”.
Steel man’s career and achievements
Education
- Born on June 2, 1936 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, Irani completed Bachelor of Science degree from Science College, Nagpur in 1956 and Master of Science degree in Geology from Nagpur University in the year 1958.
- Then in 1960, he went to the United Kingdom, to pursue Masters in Metallurgy and PhD in Metallurgy in 1963 from University of Sheffield.
Career
- In 1963 only, Irani was selected for the position of senior scientific officer in the British Iron and Steel Research Association, then promoted as the head of the Physical Metallurgy Division.
- After gaining experience, Irani came back to the country and joined TISCO (now Tata Steel) in 1968. The position offered to him was assistant to the Director in-charge of Research and Development.
Promotions
- In 1978, he was then elevated to the post of general superintendent, and then as general manager in 1979, at Tata Steel.
- He was then promoted as President in 1985, Managing Director in 1992 and the Director in 1998.
- In 1993, Irani became a member of Tata Motors, and had also served as Director for Tata Sons.
- The Union government in 2004, appointed him as the Chairman of the Expert Committee for formation of the new Companies Act of India.
- He also served as Chairman of Board of Governors at Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.
Honours
In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II honoured Irani with an honorary knighthood (KBE). He then was conferred with Padma Bhushan by the Indian government in 2007, for his contributions to the industry. He was also bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2008, for his contributions in the metallurgy field, and was appointed an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996.
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