Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, often known as JRD Tata was well-known for the phenomenal success of the TATA Group and is regarded as the father of the Indian aviation sector. The Tata Group increased its footprint in many industries under his energetic leadership, including steel, aviation, hotels, cars, and information technology. In 1992, JRD Tata received the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his extraordinary work.

JRD Tata was born in Paris, France, on July 29, 1904, as the son of Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and Suzanne Brière. He belonged to the famous Tata family, whose name is connected with quality, invention, and dedication to societal progress. This year celebrates the 120th birth anniversary of the legendary JRD.

JRD Tata 120th Birth Anniversary: Lesser-Known Facts

• JRD Tata was born in France and finished his studies in London. Following his education, he entered the French Army and served for a year.
• JRD Tata was 15 years old when he went on a joyride in a plane in France and resolved to become a pilot and, if feasible, pursue an aviation career. He had to wait nine years before a flying club was established in his hometown of Bombay.
• JRD Tata was not the first to register, but he was the first Indian to graduate with ‘No. 1’ approved on his flying certificate.
• He received a £500 (about Rs 54,000) prize in 1930 for being the first Indian to fly solo between England and India.
• When JRD Tata returned to India, he began working for Tata & Sons as a trainee without salary. He rose to the position of Chairman of Tata & Sons after 12 years of hard labour.
• He was Tata Sons’ youngest chairman. JRD Tata, at the age of 34, was appointed chairman of Tata Sons. Under his guidance, the company expanded from USD 100 million to a USD 5 billion empire.
• JRD Tata founded Air India, India’s first domestic carrier airline, in 1932. It was later nationalised in 1953, with JRD Tata serving as chairman, and was ironically bought by the Tata Group in 2022.
• He is the first businessman and industrialist to have earned both India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Vibhushan (1955) and the Bharat Ratna (1992), for his contributions to the expansion of Indian industry. He also received the United Nations Populations Award for pioneering and implementing India’s family planning program.
• On February 10, 1929, JRD Tata became the first Indian to receive a commercial pilot’s licence. He was dubbed the ‘Father of Indian Aviation’ for his substantial contributions to the sector.
• JRD Tata served as a trustee of the Dorabji Tata Foundation for 50 years, and under his leadership, the foundation created Asia’s first cancer hospital, the Tata Memorial Centre for Cancer, in 1941.
• He died in Geneva after contracting a kidney infection. The Indian Parliament was adjourned in mourning upon his death, an honour not bestowed upon non-members of Parliaments.

JRD Tata 120th Birth Anniversary: Inspiring Quotes

1. “Uncommon thinkers reuse what common thinkers refuse”.

2. “I do not want India to be an economic superpower. I want India to be a happy country”.

3. “Common people have an appetite for food, uncommon people have an appetite for service”.

4. “Good human relations not only bring great personal rewards but are essential to the success of any enterprise”.

5. “No success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people and is achieved by fair and honest means”.