Business
Glimpses of greatness
"Who the Tatas are changes with the times, what they are, does not,” according to T. R. ("Donn”) Doongaji, who has served the business house in various capacities for over 40 years. Having seen the workings of the group at close quarters, including a three-year stint as executive assistant to the legendary J. R. D. Tata, Doongaji has prepared a 144-minute video called Tata Glimpses that tells what he calls "my emotional story.”
"My soul is in tune with the philosophy of the house,” explained Doongaji. In making the DVD, with which he visited Parsiana’s office, he states he has kept in mind the six attributes identified by J. R. D. Tata that make the group different from others: integrity, service to the nation, having a social conscience, a fair deal for employees, fair prices for customers and the pursuit of excellence.
The DVD is a recording of Doongaji’s 300th presentation of the Tata story at the Taj Lands End to senior in-house executives. "Many Tata companies request me to make this presentation to new joinees,” he states, so that they know the history and the philosophy of the group first hand. Vistara, the Tata group airline, he emphasizes "has screened this video for all their 650 employees.”
In a blurb on the back cover of the DVD, Ratan Tata is quoted as stating: "Donn has lived the Tata values, spoken from his heart and narrated with passion… Tata Glimpses affords an inspiring experience for those interested in the Tata story.” Others have called it "a valuable lesson that will inspire many a life,” and "fascinating and uplifting.”
A qualified examiner for the Tata Business Excellence Model, Doongaji retired as executive director from Tata Services in 2008 and has since then served as an independent director on the boards of several companies. He is an advisor to the Tata Central Archives.
The DVD which has sold over 3,000 copies till date, is available at a price of Rs 2,100 each. Please contact donndoongaji@gmail.com for more information.
"My soul is in tune with the philosophy of the house,” explained Doongaji. In making the DVD, with which he visited Parsiana’s office, he states he has kept in mind the six attributes identified by J. R. D. Tata that make the group different from others: integrity, service to the nation, having a social conscience, a fair deal for employees, fair prices for customers and the pursuit of excellence.
The DVD is a recording of Doongaji’s 300th presentation of the Tata story at the Taj Lands End to senior in-house executives. "Many Tata companies request me to make this presentation to new joinees,” he states, so that they know the history and the philosophy of the group first hand. Vistara, the Tata group airline, he emphasizes "has screened this video for all their 650 employees.”
In a blurb on the back cover of the DVD, Ratan Tata is quoted as stating: "Donn has lived the Tata values, spoken from his heart and narrated with passion… Tata Glimpses affords an inspiring experience for those interested in the Tata story.” Others have called it "a valuable lesson that will inspire many a life,” and "fascinating and uplifting.”
A qualified examiner for the Tata Business Excellence Model, Doongaji retired as executive director from Tata Services in 2008 and has since then served as an independent director on the boards of several companies. He is an advisor to the Tata Central Archives.
The DVD which has sold over 3,000 copies till date, is available at a price of Rs 2,100 each. Please contact donndoongaji@gmail.com for more information.
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From the archive