J.R.D. Tata (1904-1993)

 Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, better 

known as J.R.D. Tata, was an Indian businessman and aviation pioneer. He was born on July 29, 1904, in Paris, France, to Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his French wife, Suzanne Brière. He was the second child of his parents and had one elder sister, Sylla, and one younger brother, Noel.

Early Life and Education:

J.R.D. Tata spent his early childhood in France, and then his family moved to India in 1914. He was sent to a boarding school in Bombay (now Mumbai), and later to England for further education. In 1925, he joined the Tata Group, which was founded by his grandfather, Jamsetji Tata. He started as an unpaid apprentice at the Tata Steel Company in Jamshedpur, and soon became interested in aviation.

Career in Aviation:

In 1929, J.R.D. Tata became the first person in India to earn a commercial pilot's license. He was also the first Indian to receive a license from the British Royal Aero Club. In the same year, he co-founded Tata Airlines, which later became Air India. J.R.D. Tata was the chairman of Air India from 1948 to 1978, and under his leadership, the airline grew to become one of the largest in the world.

Apart from Air India, J.R.D. Tata also founded other aviation companies, such as Tata Aviation Service and Tata Air Lines. He was also instrumental in the development of the Indian aviation industry, and he was one of the founders of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 1945.

Business Career:

Apart from aviation, J.R.D. Tata was involved in various other businesses. He was the chairman of the Tata Group from 1938 to 1991, and during his tenure, the group diversified into various industries, such as steel, cement, chemicals, and hospitality. Some of the major companies that are part of the Tata Group today are Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Power, and Taj Hotels.

J.R.D. Tata was a strong believer in corporate social responsibility, and he initiated various social welfare programs through the Tata Trusts, which is the philanthropic arm of the Tata Group. He also played a key role in the development of science and technology in India, and he was one of the founders of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.

Personal Life and Legacy:

J.R.D. Tata was married to Thelma Vicaji in 1930, and they had two sons, Ratan Tata and Jimmy Tata. Thelma passed away in 1959, and J.R.D. Tata later married Simone Tata in 1965.

J.R.D. Tata was a recipient of various awards and honors, both in India and abroad. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, which is the second-highest civilian award in India, in 1955, and the Bharat Ratna, which is the highest civilian award in India, in 1992. He was also awarded the French Legion of Honor, and the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom.

J.R.D. Tata passed away on November 29, 1993, at the age of 89. He is remembered as one of the greatest Indian businessmen and philanthropists of all time. His legacy is still felt in the Tata Group, which is one of the largest and most respected business conglomerates in India. His contributions to the Indian aviation industry are also widely acknowledged, and he is often referred to as the "father of Indian aviation."