image source - google photos
In a statement released by Tata Steel, Jamshed Irani, known as the steelman of India, passed away late Monday night in Jamshedpur at the age of 86.
“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 and loved ones,” Tata Steel said in a tweet.
At 10 p.m. on October 31, 2022, he passed away at TMH (Tata Hospital) in Jamshedpur, Daisy Irani and Zubin, Niloufer, and Tanaaz Irani are the only surviving members of his family.
In June 2011, Irani retired from the board of Tata Steel after 43 years in which he and the company won international acclaim in a variety of fields.
Irani was born on June 2, 1936, in Nagpur to Jiji Irani and Khorshed Irani. He graduated from Science College, Nagpur, in 1956, and Nagpur University in 1958 with a BSc in Geology.
After graduating from the University of Sheffield as a JN Tata scholar, he earned a PhD in Metallurgy from the University of Sheffield in 1963.
Although he began his professional career with the British Iron and Steel Research Association in Sheffield in 1963, he always aspired to contribute to the development of the nation. He returned to India in 1968 to join The Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel), as it was then known, and served as Assistant to the Director of Research and Development.
In 1978, Jamshed J Irani was promoted to General Superintendent, then General Manager, then President of Tata Steel in 1985. In 1988, he became Joint Managing Director of Tata Steel, and in 1992 he was made Managing Director.
He has served on the Board of Tata Steel since 1981, and as a Non-Executive Director since 2001. He has also served on the Boards of several Tata Group companies, including Tata Motors and Tata Teleservices.
Additionally, Jamshed J Irani served as President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 1992 to 1993.
The Royal Academy of Engineering made him an International Fellow in 1996, and Queen Elizabeth II awarded him an Honorary Knighthood for his contributions to Indo-British trade and cooperation in 1997.
Iranian also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of India in 2008 in recognition of his metallurgical work.
“Jamshed J Irani’s visionary leadership contributed greatly to the growth and development of the steel industry in India during India’s economic liberalization of the early 1990s,” Tata Steel noted.
