Services to Nation
John Matthai was born in 1886. After graduating in arts and law from Madras University he practised as a lawyer for about 4 years. Later, he proceeded to England for higher studies, took D.Litt from Oxford and D.Sc. From London School of Economics.
After coming back to India, Dr Matthai joined Madras Government in 1918 as an Officer on special duty, co-operative Department for two years. Later he taught economics at Presidency College till 1925 and was a member of the Legislative Council for some time. After working in the Government Service till 1940 in various capacities as a Member and Chairman of the Tariff Board and later as Director-General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics.
In 1946, Dr. Matthai joined the Viceroy's Executive Council Later, after working as Member for Industry and Supply in the Interim Government, he became Minister of Railways and later of Commerce and Industry. His last portfolio in the Nehru Ministry was Finance Minister after which he resigned and rejoined Tatas in 1950.
In 1953 he taken up the chairmanship of the Taxation Enquiry Committee. He later became the Chairman of the newly constituted State Bank of India (resigned the Directorship of Tata sons in 1955). He was the Vice Chancellor of Bombay University between 1955 and 1957 and later of Kerala University for two years until his death in 1959.
An eminent economist. Dr Matthai was one of the authors of the Bombay Plan, had several publications to his credit and was a great speaker.
After coming back to India, Dr Matthai joined Madras Government in 1918 as an Officer on special duty, co-operative Department for two years. Later he taught economics at Presidency College till 1925 and was a member of the Legislative Council for some time. After working in the Government Service till 1940 in various capacities as a Member and Chairman of the Tariff Board and later as Director-General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics.
In 1946, Dr. Matthai joined the Viceroy's Executive Council Later, after working as Member for Industry and Supply in the Interim Government, he became Minister of Railways and later of Commerce and Industry. His last portfolio in the Nehru Ministry was Finance Minister after which he resigned and rejoined Tatas in 1950.
In 1953 he taken up the chairmanship of the Taxation Enquiry Committee. He later became the Chairman of the newly constituted State Bank of India (resigned the Directorship of Tata sons in 1955). He was the Vice Chancellor of Bombay University between 1955 and 1957 and later of Kerala University for two years until his death in 1959.
An eminent economist. Dr Matthai was one of the authors of the Bombay Plan, had several publications to his credit and was a great speaker.
Services to Tatas
Dr. Matthai joined Tatas as a Director in 1940 and worked as Director-in-charge of Tata Chemicals for two years.
He resigned and rejoined Tatas in 1950. During the second term 'in Tatas, Dr Matthai became the Director-in-charge and Vice chairman of TISCO and TELCO. He was also the Director of ACC and Indian Hotels and the Chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and President of the Court of the Indian Institute of Science.
In 1953, Dr. Matthai resigned from the Directorship of some Tata Companies but continued to be the Director of the Tata sons Limited.
About the years he spent in Tatas Dr Matthai once said: “I look upon it as the best part of my life. The work was very interesting. They maintain a very high standard of business. I was never called upon to compromise on any matters; not once was I asked to do anything which I could not justify to my conscience".
He resigned and rejoined Tatas in 1950. During the second term 'in Tatas, Dr Matthai became the Director-in-charge and Vice chairman of TISCO and TELCO. He was also the Director of ACC and Indian Hotels and the Chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and President of the Court of the Indian Institute of Science.
In 1953, Dr. Matthai resigned from the Directorship of some Tata Companies but continued to be the Director of the Tata sons Limited.
About the years he spent in Tatas Dr Matthai once said: “I look upon it as the best part of my life. The work was very interesting. They maintain a very high standard of business. I was never called upon to compromise on any matters; not once was I asked to do anything which I could not justify to my conscience".
Other Services
- Dr John Matthai was the first President of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER)
- First Chairman of the Court of Governors of the Administrative Staff College, of India, Hyderabad
- First Chairman of the National Book Trust of India
- He was actively involved in the World Conference of Christian Youth held in Kottayam, Kerala in December 1952
- Chairman of Fertilizers And Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT) From July 1957 to the 31st July 1959.