Early Life:
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata(J.R.D Tata), former chairman of Tata Sons was born in Paris in the year 1904. He is second son of his Parsi father Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and mother Suzanne. He finished his early education in then Bombay and later on moved to London. There he studied in Crammer school. After his studies, he was forced to come back to India in 1929 and become Indian citizen. He started working for the Tata group and married Thelma Vicaji in 1930.
Work and Achievements:
JRD had an unique passion for flying airplanes and was solely inspired by aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot. On pursuing his dream, he became first pilot to be issued licence in India in the year 1929. On continuing his dream, he found India's first commercial airlines, Tata airlines(now knows as the Air India) and was later on called as the "Father of Indian Civil Aviation". In 1938 he was elected as the chairaman of Tata and sons. During his chairmanship, he spread Tata group in many fields such as Tata Steels, Tata Engineering, Power, Chemicals, Hospitals and so on. He also made Tata group grow from assest of US$100million to US$5billion. He ruled Tata group for 5 decades and retired in 1988.
He is also responsible for the establishment of Asia's first cancer hospital, cancer research centre, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Tata motors. He was elected as the Chairman of Air India and was given title of Honorary Air Commodore of India.
He was much praised for his great relation with his employers for whom he brought into action 8 hours working, provident scheme, free mediacal aid etc. In 1968, he found Tata Consultancy Services and was also founding member of National Council of Applied Economic Research(NCAER).
JRD has been honoured by rank of "Group Captain" by Indian Air Force and later on was promoted to "Air Vice Marshal".
Awards:
He is receiver of several International awards such as 1. Tony Jannus Award 2. Gold Air Medal of the Federation Aeronatique Internationale 3. Edward Warner Award of International Civil Aviation Organisation 4. Daniel Guggenheim Award. He received Padma Vibhushan in 1955 and the highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 1992.
JRD passed away in the year 1992 due to kidney infection at the age of 89. On his death, Indian parliament had adjourned. He was buried in Paris, his home town. He was role model for a country and is still being remembered for his achievements and great works.