Tata Steel paid homage to Dorabji Tata on his 159th Birth Anniversary at the Sir Dorabji Tata Parkon Monday. Anand Sen, president, TQM & steel business, Tata Steel said, “Sir Dorabji exemplifies for all of us the importance of the last mile connect. He connected a dream into reality in times which were far more difficult than today, which is indeed a laudable job. Sir Dorabji was a man of great details and had varied interests.”
Speaking on the occasion R Ravi Prasad said, “JN Tata’s vision for setting up the steel plant was fulfilled by Sir Dorabji Tata. The challenges for setting up the steel plant at this location over 110 years back was humongous.” He further mentioned that “Tata Steel not only concentrates on making steel but has also excelled in employee welfare and sporting activities for community. Sir Dorabji Tata worked for the welfare of employees from the very beginning and schemes like Provident Fund, Medical Aid, Maternity leave, Gratuity etc was started”.
Sir Dorabji Tata was the first Chairman of Tata Steel, who brought to life the Steel Plant and the city of Jamshedpur based on the vision of Jamsetji Tata. He not only laid the physical foundation for Tata Steel but also infused the company with standards in corporate governance that were way ahead of its time.
A keen sportsman from his early years, Sir Dorabji Tata was the first president of the Indian Olympic Association. He steered India’s entry into the world of international sport by selecting and then financing four athletes and two wrestlers for the Antwerp Olympic Games in 1920, even before India had an Olympic body. Sir Dorabji Tata also secured a place for India in the 1924 Olympics at Paris and was chosen to be a Member of the International Olympic Committee. India won its first Gold medal in Hockey at the very next Olympics in 1928 in Amsterdam.