J.R.D. Tata, The Father Of Indian Aviation Will Be Forever Our Icon

Among a string of celebrities across the world, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata is still the one who makes each of the Indian feel proud because he is not only a successful businessman but also father of aviation in India. Also, he won the Bharat Ratna award – one of the highest civilian honors.

Under the leadership of J.R.D. Tata, Tata Group held a top position among a series of Indian industrial groups. For those unknown, Tata Group was founded in 1868. That’s why stories around him are always the constant inspiration to all the citizens from the world, not only in India.

He was a perfect combination between his father’s Indian blood and mother’s French one. During most of his time, J.R.D. Tata lived in France which is also his birthplace. It’s France that matured his passion for aircraft and aviation. In 1929, he became the first licensed pilot in India.

After completing his education in three different countries including England, France, and Japan, the father of Indian aviation joined the French Foreign Legion – the French army. Tata returned India in 1925 and began taking the first steps in the business of Tata family. Until now, a lot of entrepreneurs have been learning the excellent business acumen from J.R.D. Tata.

Tata’s success can be most clearly seen via his tremendous assets that increased from Rs 62 crore in 1939 to over Rs 10,000 crore in 1990. Besides, far-sightedness is another quality inside Tata. He allegedly dared to think and dared to do. While the whole world was chasing after technology industries and mechanics, he put all of his attention on the aviation industry. As a result, Tata Airlines, the forerunner of the present Air India, was found in 1932.

13 years later, he cooperated with Germany’s Daimler-Benz to establish Tata Motors – a company that specialized in manufacturing locomotives. During many years, Tata Motors kept holding an unbeatable position in the Indian market of commercial vehicles before it moved to the passenger vehicle market.