The Economic Times

JRD Tata once lost his favourite pen. A top Tata official bought him a similar one from London. But JRD still refused to take it. Why?

A lost pen led to a powerful lesson in integrity from JRD Tata. A Tata Steel executive found an identical pen in London and gifted it to Tata. Tata, though delighted, returned the pen. He explained he never accepted gifts from colleagues to prevent pressure. His decision showed personal accountability matters even when no one is watching.