PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 30: Tata Steel and the steel city of Jamshedpur today remembered Naval Tata, the former director of Tata Sons on his 118th birth anniversary.
Naval Hormusji Tata was born on August 30, 1904. His father died when he was only four years old. Naval Tata was adopted by Lady Navajbai and it happened unusually.
In 1918, Sir Ratan died in England at the age of 47. At a family meeting, headed by Sir Dorabji, it was decided that since there was no son for the Uthamna ceremony, an adopted son was necessary. Naval Tata’s mother was Sir Ratan’s favourite cousin. So Naval Tata was chosen for adoption.
Naval Tata graduated from Bombay University in Economics and studied Accountancy in London.
He joined Tatas in 1930 as dispatch clerk cum assistant on a monthly salary of Rs 150, he was promoted to Assistant Secretary, Tata Sons in 1933 and later became secretary, Aviation department. In 1939, he became joint managing director, Textile Mills.
Naval Tata became the director of Tata Sons in 1941. He was appointed Chairman of Tata Mills Ltd. In 1947.
He was appointed managing director, The Tata Oil Mills Co. Ltd. In 1948.
Naval Tata was in charge of the Tata Electric Companies.
He was also president of the Indian Hockey Federation for 15 years, the longest-serving president so far and under his leadership India’s hockey team won three Olympic Gold medals.
Naval Tata was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1969 and he died on May 5, 1989.
