Today is the day that marks the birth of a legendary and an inspiration for everyone – J R D Tata. It is indeed a momentous day for Tata Steel as it celebrated the 104th birth centenary of J R D Tata with pomp and show in Jamshedpur and across all other locations of its operations.

The day began with homage to J R D Tata at the J R D Tata Sports Complex. This was followed by the inauguration of a thematic exhibition on J R D Tata at the Sonari airport. Known to have pioneered civil aviation in the subcontinent in 1932 by launching the airline now known as Air India, this was Tata Steel’s tribute to J R D Tata. The exhibition that captures and showcases J R D Tata’s passion for aviation was inaugurated by Mr. Partha Sengupta, Vice President (Corporate Services), Tata Steel. People fondly remembered this charismatic personality on his birth centenary. The Indian Parliament was adjourned in his memory on his death on November 29, 1993, which is an honour that is usually not given to private citizens. Also his home state of Maharashtra declared three days of mourning in his honour when he had passed away.

VP (CS) inaugurating the thematic exhibition on JRD	VP (Safety and LP) and Mr. Pandey at Gopal maidan

“Let industries established in the countryside ‘adopt’ the villages in its neighborhood; ...it is also clearly in the interests of industry that surrounding areas should be healthy, prosperous and peaceful.” These words of J R D Tata have formed the foundation of Tata Steel’s CSR policy and the Company has unfalteringly worked towards social development and welfare of the communities. They have been involved in all celebrations of Tata Steel and even today, there were a series of sporting events organised at the community centres and for school children. The Inter Bustee Football tournament was inaugurated by Mr. Hridayeshwar Jha, Vice President (Safety and Long Products), Tata Steel and Mr. Raghunath Pandey, President – Tata Workers Union at the Gopal Maidan. There were a series of other tournaments organised that saw enthusiastic participation. The Sports and Corporate Sustainability Services department of Tata Steel together conducted Cross country race, Inter Community Basketball Tournament, Inter Bustee Boxing, Inter Bustee Volleyball, Inter Community Badminton, Inter Community Handball, Inter Centre Cricket and Inter School Swimming competition to name a few.

Mrs. Nerurkar at the Quiz Competition

One of the key highlights of the occasion was the inauguration of the Team Building and Youth Leadership development Camp that was organised by Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS). This 3 day residential leadership training programme at Pipla centre of TSRDS will see the participation of 36 youths (24 male and 12 female) from four different Blocks - Patamda, Potka, Jamshedpur and Seraikela. The camp has been organised with the objective to enhance the leadership qualities of the rural youth so that their leadership skills can have appositive impact on their communities.

The Annual JRD Tata Inter School Quiz was conducted at Michael John Auditorium where the chief guest was Mrs. Surekha Nerurkar. It was heart warming to see students participate and display their sound knowledge on J R D Tata. Shritama Bose and Ankita Tibdewal from Sacred Heart Convent School were declared as the winner of the quiz after a challenging show of intellect and presence of mind.

A special Free Medical Health Camp for people and underprivileged young girls at various locations. People and children in large numbers came forward to avail the facility and benefit from the health camps.

J R D Tata’s Birth Centenary was a joyous occasion even at the mines and collieries of Tata Steel. Pregnant mothers and Baby Mela was organised in Sukinda where ladies and infants came forward for consultation. AIDS Awareness Camps with street plays and folk shows were also a highlight of the celebrations. The Company undertook a massive chlorination drive of all wells in operational villages of Bamnipal and a special cycle rally was organised to spread sanitation awareness in Patamda. A workshop on enhancement of funds was organised for the women of the Self Help Group in Bhelatand. A function was organised at Chhattisgarh for students of Std. VIII onwards wherein meritorious students were given cheques as a part of a scholarship programme. In addition to these special highlights, several sporting events, quiz competitions and health checkup camps were organised all across.

J R D Tata’s working philosophy was rooted in “Preserving nature’s wealth to promote human health”. His core interest was the benefit of people and with this philosophy J R D Tata guided the destiny of India’s largest business house for well over half a century. In 1992, for his selfless humanitarian endeavours, J R D Tata was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna – one of the rarest instances in which this award was granted during a person’s lifetime. In that same year, he was also bestowed with the United Nations Population Award for his crusading endeavours towards initiating and successfully implementing the family planning movement in India, much before it became an official government policy.