SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 10: The legendary Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Steel, visited Dhanbad’s Tata Steel Jharia Division three times between 1992 and 2001, leaving an indelible mark on the people of the coal belt, particularly the miners of Tata’s collieries.
His first visit to Dhanbad was in 1992, shortly after being appointed chairman of Tata Steel, succeeding Russi Mody. He returned in 1994 and made his final visit in 2001 to inaugurate the Dorabji Tata Park at Jamadoba, a park renowned as one of the finest in the coal belt.
Served tea to journalists himself
During his 1992 visit to the Jharia Colliery Division, Ratan Tata held a press conference at the Director’s Bungalow in Jamadoba. At the time, YP Dhawan was the director of Tata Steel Jharia Division. However, the atmosphere was tense due to a report in a Calcutta-based English daily that claimed over 20,000 workers of Tata Steel and the Jharia Colliery Division would be retrenched under Ratan Tata’s leadership.
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Over 75 journalists from national, regional, and local publications had gathered for the scheduled press conference. Initially, Ratan Tata refused to address the media, but after a long delay, he finally appeared. However, he declined to engage in a Q&A session, which upset many journalists.
Sensing the mood, Tata picked up a tea tray from a waiter and personally served tea to the senior journalists, including Brahmdeo Singh Sharma (founder editor of Awaz), Satish Chandra (founder editor of Janamat), and PTI correspondent UD Rawal. Despite his position, Tata’s humility and ability to handle a difficult situation impressed everyone present. Even as senior officials of Tata Steel were present, Ratan Tata’s personal touch made a lasting impression.
Tata Steel’s Jharia Division pays tribute
Tata Steel’s Jharia Division paid tribute to Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata, who passed away on Wednesday. A memorial service was held today on the General Manager’s Office lawn.
General Manager Sanjay Rajoria, along with his wife Sunita Rajoria, Narendra Kumar Gupta (Chief, Jamadoba), Vikash Kumar (Chief, Sijua Group), Santosh Mahato (Regional Secretary, Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Union), union officials, and company employees gathered at both the General Manager’s Office and the Sijua Group Office to pay their respects to the visionary leader.