JRD Tata

JRD Tata

It was April of 1974. I was the only girl in my post- graduate department and was staying at the ladies' hostel.

I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science.

I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US.

I had not thought of taking up a job in India.

While on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board.

It was a standard job requirement notice from the automobile company Telco (Tata Motors).

It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hard -working and with an excellent academic background, etc.

At the bottom was a small line: Lady Candidates need not apply.

I read it and was very upset.

For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.

Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge.

After reading the notice I went fuming to my room.

I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco.

I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then).

I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing..

To this day I remember clearly what I wrote. 

"The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India, such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives They have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender."

I posted the letter and forgot about it.

Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense.

I was taken back by the telegram.

My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap!

I collected Rs 30 each from everyone who wanted a sari.. when I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going.

It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city. The place changed my life in so many ways.

As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview.

There were six people on the panel and I realized then that this was serious business.

This is the girl who wrote to JRD..I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room.

By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realization abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.

The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them.

Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me.. 'Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply?

The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout.

We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories.'

I did not know the ways of large corporate houses, so I answered...'But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories.'

Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful.

So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune.

Later I met a shy young man from Karnataka

there, we became good friends and we got married.

It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry.

Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay.

One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman.

I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House, the Tata head quarters, when JRD walked in.

That was the first time I saw 'JRD'.

I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode.

Someone introduced me..

This young woman is an engineer and She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor

JRD looked at me.

I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview or the postcard that preceded it.

Thankfully, he didn't.

Instead, he remarked. 'It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?'

'When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir,'

Now I am Sudha Murthy

He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM.

As for me, I almost ran out of the room.

After that I used to see JRD on and off.

He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. We had nothing in common..

One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours.

To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react..!

'Young lady, why are you here?' he asked. 'Office time is over.' 

I said, 'Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up.' 

JRD said, 'It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor. I'll wait with you till your husband comes.'

I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.

I was nervous.!

Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing.

There wasn't any air of superiority about him.

I was thinking.. Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee.

Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out...

JRD called and said, 'Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again.' 

In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco...

When I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up.

I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused...

Gently, he said, 'So what are you doing, Mrs. Kulkarni?'

'Sir, I am leaving Telco.'

'Where are you going?' he asked. 

'Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.'

'Oh! And what will you do when you are successful.'

'Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful.' 

Never start with diffidence, he advised me 'Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. Wish you all the best.

Then JRD continued walking up the stairs.

I stood there for what seemed like a millennium.

*Sudha Murthy*