Naval Tata is an Indian businessman who has made significant contributions to the development of the Tata Group. He was a sports enthusiast, a labor relations philosopher, and a true leader. Naval is one of the Tata Titans, just like JRD Tata. He was also a good communicator, able to instantly connect with workers and make friends with people of all classes and backgrounds.
Wiki/Biography
Naval Tata was born on Tuesday, August 30, 1904 in Surat, Gujarat (died aged 84). He was born into a middle-class family, his father was a master spinner in a high-class factory in Ahmedabad. He was only four years old in 1908 when his father died. In the same year, his family moved to Navasari in Gujarat. His mother used to make money doing embroidery work. To support his family, he was sent to JN Petit Parsi Orphanage. In 1918, after Ratanji Tata’s death in England, Dorabji Tata chaired a family meeting and since Ratanji Tata had no children, it was decided Adopt a son to participate in Ratan Ji’s Uthamna ritual. Navajbhai Tata (wife of Ratan Ji Tata) abided by the family decision and adopted Naval Tata. Naval Tata once said of his adoption:
She filled the role of fairy godmother and I will be forever grateful to her.”
After his adoption, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mumbai University and later went to England to pursue an accounting course.
family
Naval was born into a Parisian family and was adopted by Navajbhai Tata.
Parents and siblings
He is the adopted son of Ratan Ji Tata and Navjbai Tata as the couple had no children.
wife and children
Naval Tata and son Ratan Naval Tata
Naval Tata is married to Sooni Commissariat and has two children named Ratan and Jimmy Tata. Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024. The couple separated in the mid-1940s. Later, Navarre fell in love with Simone Dunoyer and married her in 1955. In 1957, Naval’s third son, Noel Tata, was born.
genealogy
Tatas family tree
Click here to know more about the Tatas.
Profession
After returning to India on June 1, 1930, he joined the Tata family business. In 1932, he obtained a secretary’s position in Tata Airways. He devoted all his efforts to the family business and in 1939 was appointed Joint Managing Director of all Tata textile mills. Soon, he became a director of Tata Sons on February 1, 1941 and later served as vice chairman. Thereafter, he became chairman of Tata Mills and three Tata electrical companies. Under his leadership, Tata Power has achieved significant growth, expanding capacity and coverage. He also serves on the boards of several other companies. In addition to his contributions to the Tata Group, he also serves as a director of Bank of Baroda.
Serving multiple organizations
He is a businessman who has made significant contributions to society and collaborates with many public institutions. He devoted much of his time to educational, social and welfare activities. He has served as Chairman of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Indian Cancer Society. He is a member of the Indian Institute of Science and a trustee of Tata Charities. He became Vice-President of the International Organization of Employers in Geneva, a position he held for 38 years. Since 1946, he has been associated with the International Labor Organization for more than thirty years. He also attended numerous International Labor Organization conferences and industrial committee meetings. He also represents Indian employers at various national and international conferences and attends meetings of the International Chamber of Commerce. UNIDO and Management International.
Love sports
Navy tata with hockey team players
Naval Tata loves sports and has made significant contributions to the development of national sports. He served as the president of the Hockey Federation of India and led the federation for 17 years. In 1958, he built the first floodlit hockey stadium in India. He was the Chairman of the Sports Council of India when India achieved three Olympic victories. India first participated in the London Olympics (1948) when Naval Tata personally met Jawaharlal Nehru and convinced him to lead Indian athletes to the top. As a result, India won the gold medal at the London Olympics. This victory was followed by two more wins in Melbourne and Helsinki. He also served as President of the Employers Federation of India. In 1966, he was appointed as a member of the National Labor Commission by the Government of India.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1968, he became the recipient of the Sir Jehangir Gandhi Industrial Peace Medal.
- In 1969, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India.
- He was awarded life membership in the National Academy of Personnel Management.
- He was the first Chairman of the Sports Council of India.
die
Naval Ji Tata died in Mumbai on May 5, 1989, after a battle with cancer.
memorial
- In 1999, a book was published in his memory. This book is a collection of his letters, speeches, and writings.
- Since 1992, the National Institute of Personnel Management has held the Navy Tower Memorial Lecture every year in his honor.
- In 2004, the Tata Group held the “Century of Trust” exhibition in memory of the founders of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, JRD Tata and Naval Tata.
- In 2014, the Employers Federation of India established the Navy-Tata Industrial Relations Training Institute as his memorial.
- In his honor, the Department of Sports Management at the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management was renamed as the Navy-Tata Center of Excellence in Sports Management.
Facts/Trivia
- In 1971, he tried his hand at politics and ran as an independent candidate in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, but did not win.
- He was elected sixteen times to the International Labor Organization.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education