A Time When Ratan Tata Was Called As A ‘Wrong Choice’ And JRD Accused Of Nepotism

In an interview with the Humans of Bombay (HOB), Ratan Tata goes on to explain how his first job at Tata Motors was a ‘total waste of time’ and how JRD was accused of nepotism.

A total waste of time

The former Tata Sons chairman recalled an incident where he talks about his first internship at Tata Motors. He calls it “a total waste of time”.

The 82-year-old informed that he was often changed from department to department without anybody telling him what to do.

“I guess, I was looked at as a family member, so no one said anything to me. I spent six months merely trying to make himself look useful,” he said.

It was a time when Ratan Tata was finally moved to Tata Steel, a time where his job started to get real interest. He pointed out that he started working right from the bottom which helped him really understand the situation of those around him.

Nepotism Guilty

Speaking on JRD Tata, Ratan tata informed how the then Chairman faced a lot of criticism when he appointed Ratan Tata as his successor of Tata Sons in 1991.

“In 1991, JRD held the position of Group Chairman, and the Chairman of Tata Industries, which he stepped down from. At first, there was no criticism, but when he decided to step down from Tata Sons, there was vicious criticism,” said Ratan Tata.

He continued that there were many other candidates for the position which gave rise to quite a few issues, with many saying that JRD Tata had made the wrong decision and it was promoting nepotism.

“If you were to find the publications of that time, the criticism was personal — JRD got hit with nepotism and I was branded as the wrong choice.”

Above all criticism, he never stepped behind. JRD did what he knew was best and “maintained a dignified silence. Moreover, he stayed focused on proving himself and his decision.

“So, all in all, it was a big move. I remember after the meeting in which I was appointed as the Chairman, I walked with JRD to his office where he told his secretary that he had to move out of there now. I immediately said, ‘No, J, you don’t move out, this is your office for as long as you want it.’ He said, ‘Where would you sit?’ I said, ‘Where I’m sitting today — I have an office down the hall and that’s fine.” he said.

Gound work 

Tata said that even though he was being watched closely by many, most of the time he spent on the floor working which helped him the most.

“I’d been through this before, so I did what I knew best — maintained a dignified silence and focused on proving myself”.

After he gave it all for his hard work and dedication, Ratan Tata and his equation with J.R.D. reached a new dimension and he found a great mentor in him.

“I was lucky to have him there. He was my greatest mentor and the years that he was alive, I used to go into his office and say, ‘J, I wish this had happened 10 years ago, we have such a great relationship.’ He was like a father and a brother to me — and not enough has been said about that.”,” Ratan Tata added.