“The flying experience. None can equal that. When you are on your own in that little plane at the control without an instructor, and the plane speeds on the runway and finally takes off - you know you are in the air on your own.” 

Those are the words of a pioneer aviator when being asked about the greatest adventure of his life. Known as the father of Indian Civil Aviation, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata aka JRD Tata was a pioneer in the Civil Aviation industry and an important businessman of India. 

JRD or Jeh, as he was fondly called, was often regarded as the Man of Steel, and the most famous industrial pioneer in modern India who believed in building infrastructure as it is of utmost importance in the society as of today and also for taking a country forward. 

Born and brought up in France, and educated in France, Japan, and England, JRD was a true Indian at heart who almost single-handedly built the infrastructure of India. He also built one of the largest industrial houses of India and had immense faith in God and his countrymen. He always believed that the Tata Empire would grow only if the country grows. 

 

Body of Work: He was the founder of India’s first commercial airline, Tata Airlines in 1932, which later became India’s national airline, Air India, in 1946. He was also the recipient of the first pilot license issued in India. 

JRD Tata was elected as the Chairman of Tata and Sons in 1938, a position that he retained for 50 years! He was only 34 when he became the head of the largest industrial group in India at that time. 

JRD was instrumental in launching India’s first international airline, Air India International, in 1948. He was also credited with establishing the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer, Research and Treatment, Asia’s first cancer hospital, in Bombay in 1941, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in 1936,  the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1945, the Taj Group and the National Centre for Performing Arts. 

 

Achievements: JRD Tata has the honour of being India’s first pilot. He was also elected as the Chairman of Air India and the Director on the Board of Indian Airlines. During his lifetime, JRD was honoured with many prestigious awards which include: