J.R.D. Tata Biography and Works.

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata or JRD Tata (July 29, 1904-November 29, 1993) was a pioneer aviator and important businessman of India.

Born in Paris, Tata was the second child of Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and Suzanne Brière. His father was the first cousin of Jamsetji Tata, who was a pioneer industrialist in India. He spent much of his childhood in France.

JRD Tata was inspired early by aviation pioneer Louis Blériot and took to flying. On February 10, 1929, Tata got the first pilot licence in India.

Came to be known as the Father of Indian Civil Aviation, Tata founded India’s first commercial airline, Tata Airlines’, in 1932, which came to be known as Air India in 1946.

The assets of the Tata Group grew from US$100 million to over US$5 billion under Tata’s chairmanship.

JRD Tata was awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1992 and the ‘Legion of Honour’ from the French government in 1954.

Starting with 14 enterprises, Tata & Sons became a conglomerate of 95 enterprises, half a century later in 1988.

Trivia

JRD Tata was famous for succeeding in business while maintaining high ethical standards, refusing to bribe politicians or use the black market.