It is virtually impossible to write about J.R.D. Tata. He was a perfectionist in everything he undertook. Stories of him are enshrined in corporate legends. I am not going to write about his philanthropies or his trusteeship of Tatas. I would prefer to draw a small sketch of a person whom I knew, admired, loved and respected.

My first encounter with Jeh was on a golf course. I had just arrived in Bombay after living abroad for nearly six years. Neville Wadia -- father of Nusli, who is chairman and managing director of Bombay Dyeing -- asked me to join his four ball for a game one Saturday afternoon. The other two were Bobby Kooka, the man behind Air-India's Maharaja campaign, and J.R.D. Tata. That whole afternoon was spent in receiving a lesson on golf from him. That was the first of many such incidents and one began to understand his passion for perfection -- be it golf, language, business -- it really did not matter. It never struck him that he was the worst player amongst us. He was gracious and warm, a quality so endearing that one succumbed so easily to that charm.

Years rolled by during which he lost the one man whom he loved -- his brother-in-law, Duggie Sawhney. I often remember his words to me: "Why is it that when I get close to a human being, I lose him?" He talked about Homi Bhabha -- who died tragically in an air crash in 1966 and Duggie.

It never struck me at that time what a privilege it was for a young man like me to be privy to his inner thoughts and feelings. Such was his affection which was never compromised over the years. He picked individuals and gave them his total support and above all, trusted them. Sumant Mulgaonkar at TELCO, Darbari Seth at Tata Chemicals, Ajit Kerkar of the Taj Group of Hotels, and Russi Mody at TISCO were handpicked by him. These were the men who ran the great Tata empire led by a man with a vision.

Although a friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, he disagreed with his economic philosophy and made no bones about expressing his personal opinion. There was no fear in him. Although born in Paris and schooled in France -- he even spoke English with a slight French accent -- he was more Indian than most. Not only did he speak eloquently, whatever he had to say came straight from the heart. He was listened to with much respect.

His compassion for all was legendary. His interests were wide and varied. Arts, sciences, hospitals, theatres, education, family planning -- all sought his patronage. He practised what he preached and he sought excellence in most things. He had great faith in the capabilities of his countrymen and felt deeply for them. He believed in progress and very early comprehended the part that technology can play in helping to improve the quality of life.

His passion was flying and perhaps his greatest disappointment was when the government nationalised the airline he founded and ran. How pleased he would be if he were alive today and read about the government's desire to now to privatise Air India! In the late '60s and early '70s, I had the privilege of being on some government committees with him. Even today after so many years, I still marvel at his natural ability to handle people. At these meetings while disagreeing on many issues he would disarm his opponents with grace and wit.

In his public as well as in private life, he never compromised his values or his pursuit of ethical behaviour. He condemned those who sought riches at any cost. He believed in his role as a trustee of the Tata empire and through the many trusts that he personally headed, his benevolence touched the lives of millions of people.

Let me end with two small instances which reflect his personality. After Duggie died, I received a call from him to say that he wanted me to joint the board of Tata Chemicals and he used these words, "I know that Duggie and you were friends, I can think of no one better than you who could replace him on the board." What an honour bestowed with such affection.

Many an afternoon, my phone would ring and at the other end was J.R.D. Tata asking me, "My dear fellow, what are you doing, what about a cup of tea?" This really meant, drop whatever you are doing and get across, and never once did I not go, no matter what I was doing.

All of us who came into contact with Jeh were touched by him. We were the blessed ones. What else can I say to describe him than "there was a man".

Keshub Mahindra is chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited