Page 31 - Steel Tech India eMagazine Volume January 2023

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Men that Matter

Our Tribute to Dr. J J Irani

Steel Man of India

With profound grief and deep sorrow we would like
to inform our readers about the sad demise of Dr.
Jamshed J. Irani (Padma Bhushan), an eminent Indian
metallurgist known as “Steel Man of India” on 31st
October 2022 at Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur.
Dr. Irani was born on 2nd June 1936 at Nagpur. He
completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Science
College, Nagpur in 1956 and Master of Science degree
in Geology from the Nagpur University in 1958. He then
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scholar where he secured a Masters in Metallurgy in
1960 and a PhD in Metallurgy in 1963.
Dr Irani was associated with Tata Steel for over four
decades. 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
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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. Dr. Jashed J. Irani (02.06.1936 - 31.10.2022)
He started his professional career with the British Iron
DQG 6WHHO 5HVHDUFK $VVRFLDWLRQ LQ 6KHႈHOG LQ EXW 2000-01. In 2004, the Government of India appointed
always yearned to contribute to the Nation’s progress Dr Irani as the Chairman of the Expert Committee
and returned to India to join the then The Tata Iron and for formation of the new Companies Act of India. He
Steel Company (now Tata Steel) in 1968, as Assistant was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2007 for his
to the Director in-charge of Research and Development. contribution to industry. He was the recipient of the
He went on to become General Superintendent in 1978, Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of
General Manager in 1979, and President of Tata Steel India in 2008 as acknowledgement to his services in
in 1985. He then became Joint Managing Director of the area of metallurgy.
Tata Steel in 1988, Managing Director in 1992 before Dr Irani is survived by his wife Daisy Irani and his three
retiring in 2001. children, Zubin, Niloufer and Tanaaz.
Dr. Irani was conferred several honours, including We (most of us had the opportunity to work under his
his appointment as International Fellow of the Royal leadership) at STEEL TECH join the bereaved family
Academy of Engineering in 1996 and an Honorary in praying to the Almighty to grant the departed soul to
Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his rest in peace, and give his family enough strength and
contributions to Indo-British Trade and Co-operation. courage to bear this irreparable loss.
Dr Irani was the National President of the Confederation We are proud and honoured to mention that
of Indian Industry (CII) for 1992-93. He was the Dr. Jamshed J. Irani was the Editorial Board Member of
president of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) in 67((/ 7(&+ IURP LWV ¿UVW LVVXH LQ

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