Jamshed J Irani, 'steel man of India’, dies at 86

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Jamshed J Irani, known as the steel man of India, died in Jamshedpur on 31 October. He was 86.

Important facts

• Irani is survived by his wife Daisy Irani and their three children, Zubin, Nilofar and Tanaaz.

• He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Government of India in 2008 for his services in the field of metallurgy.

• Born on 2 June 1936 in Nagpur to Jiji Irani and Khorsed Irani, Dr. Irani completed BSc from Science College, Nagpur in 1956 and MSc in Geology from Nagpur University in 1958.

• He then went to the University of Sheffield in the UK, where he earned a Masters in Metallurgy in 1960 and a PhD in Metallurgy in 1963.

• He began his professional career with the British Iron and Steel Research Association in Sheffield in 1963.

• Irani retired from the board of Tata Steel in June 2011, leaving behind a legacy of 43 years and has brought the company international reputation in various fields.

• Jamshed J Irani joined the Board of Tata Steel and also served as non-executive director from 2001 for a decade. 

• He also served as a director of several Tata Group companies which include Tata Motors and Tata Teleservices.

• He also served as the National President of the Confederation of Indian Industry in 1992–93.

• He was honoured with several awards including Padma Bhushan in 2007 for his contribution to the industry.