‘Steel Man of India' Jamshed J Irani has passed away at the age of 86

• Image Credit: BQ Prime

• Nov 1, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Dr Jamshed J Irani, a Padma Bhushan recipient, had served as the director of various Tata Group firms during his four-decade career.

Digital Desk: Dr. Jamshed J Irani, often known as the Steel Man of India, died on Monday night at the age of 86 in Jamshedpur. 

"We are terribly grieved by the death of Padma Bhushan Dr. Jamshed J Irani, affectionately known as India's Steel Man." "The Tata Steel family extends its heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones," Tata Steel said on its official Twitter account.

Dr Irani, a Padma Bhushan recipient, had served as the director of various Tata Group firms during his four-decade career. 

"The Steel Man of India has died. Tata Steel is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Padma Bhushan Dr Jamshed J Irani "Tata Steel issued a statement. He died on October 31, 2022 at 10 p.m. at TMH (Tata Hospital) in Jamshedpur, according to the report.

Here's all you need to know about him as the country mourns his death.

1. Jamshed J Irani was born in Nagpur on June 2, 1936. In 1956, he graduated from the city's Science College, and in 1958, he earned his MSc in Geology from Nagpur University. 

2. Later, as a JN Tata scholar, Irani attended the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, where he earned a master's degree in metallurgy in 1960 and a PhD in 1963. 

3. In 1962, Dr. Irani started his professional career with the British Iron and Steel Research Association. In 1968, he returned to India to work as an assistant to the director-in-charge of research and development at the Tata Iron and Steel Company (now known as Tata Steel).

4. Dr. Irani was appointed general superintendent in 1978, general manager in 1979, and Tata Steel President in 1985. He then rose through the ranks to become joint managing director in 1988 and managing director in 1992 before retiring in 2001. 

5. Dr. Jamshed J Irani joined the Tata Steel Board of Directors in 2001 and served as a non-executive director for a decade. He has also served on the boards of various Tata Group firms, including Tata Motors and Tata Teleservices.

6. Dr. Irani also served as the Confederation of Indian Industry's national president from 1992 to 1993. For his contributions to the industry, he received numerous honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2007. 

7. In addition to his wife Daisy Irani, Dr. Irani is lived with his three children Zubin, Niloufer, and Tanaaz.