It's the life of a man, which mirrors his achievements. And when you talk about J J Irani, Director, Tata Sons, there seems to be one message that unanimously comes to everyone's mind - Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision. And that's precisely what Irani, a man widely respected for his integrity and risk-taking abilities stands for. And when you talk about his portfolio, you would wonder that a man of his age has so much dynamism, enthusiasm and energy to be director of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors and Tata International, among others.

Not only this, he is also the chairman of Tata Refractories and TRF and also chairs the board of governors at XLRI, Jamshedpur and several other honourary posts. Beginning his career as a senior scientific officer at the British Iron and Steel Research Association, Sheffield in 1963, Dr Irani was instrumental in giving fillip to the production of steel and iron and enhancing the company's profitability. After his return to India in 1968, Dr Irani joined Tata Steel as assistant to director (R&D) and soon after in 1979 was appointed general manager and later its president. It was in 1992 that he was elevated to the post of managing director, a position that he held till recently.

After Irani joined Tata, the company not only showed over all improvement in profitability but has also expanded its operations in various other countries. A man, whose first love has always been academics, Dr Irani has perennially put his theoretical learning to test vis-à-vis the latest management practices. An M.Sc in geology from Nagpur University and a doctorate from the University of Sheffield, UK, Irani believes that the moment you stop learning, you stop living. And that's the reason, the seasoned academician religiously puts his mind to work, both in fields and books.

It was in recognition of his wide statesmanship and understanding of modern business practices that the Ministry of Company Affairs recently appointed him to head the expert group to draft new Companies Act. In fact, a few people know that Irani, a former president of All India Management Association (AIMA) and the President of the Asian Association of Management Organisation (AAMO), has been the man behind giving Indo-China trade a shot in the arm. A stalwart of steel industry, who also heads the Indian Steel Alliance, Irani was instrumental in drawing a blueprint of Indo-China trade.

Triggering India's export to meet China's iron and steel demand, he during an interview said: "It is expected that China will use over 220 million tonnes of steel during the current year, out of which over 30 million tones would be imported." And under his leadership, India is already taking a lead in exporting iron and steel to China, thus generating revenues for the nation. A man, known for nerves of steel and will of iron, Dr Irani is also the recipient of several accolades and awards, which include 'Metallurgist of the year' award, the prestigious 'Platinum Medal' by the Indian Institute of Metals, Ernst & Young's Lifetime Achievement Award for entrepreneurial success and the 'Twelfth Willy Korf Steel Vision Award' from World Steel Dynamics and American Metal Market.

Not only this, he has been conferred an honorary knighthood (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II and has also been awarded the Qimpro Platinum Standard and the Indian Merchants' Chamber's Juran Quality Medal for his role as a statesman for quality. A man who has become synonymous with iron and steel industry in India, Dr Irani is sure to inspire generation of professionals in years to come.