J. R. D. Tata
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Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (July 29, 1904–November 29, 1993) was a pioneer aviator and important businessman of India.
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Early life
J.R.D. Tata was born in Paris, France, the son of Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, an Indian of Parsi-Zoroastrian heritage, and his French wife Sooni nee Suzanne Briere. His father was a first cousin of Jamshetji Tata, a pioneer industrialist in India. 'Jeh', or 'JRD' as he was commonly known, came to be regarded as the most famous industrial pioneer in modern India. As his mother was French, he spent much of his childhood in France and as a result, French was his first language.
J.R.D. Tata was inspired early by aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot, and took to flying. In 1929 Tata got the first pilot licence issued in India. He later came to be known as the father of Indian civil aviation. He founded India's first commercial airline, Tata Airlines, in 1932, which in 1946 became Air India, now India's national airline.
Businessman
For decades, Tata directed the huge Tata Group of Companies, with major interests in many industries in India, including steel, engineering, hospitality and electrical companies. He was famous for succeeding in business while maintaining high ethical standards - refusing to bribe politicians or use the black market. His contributions to founding many famous institutions of higher learning in India are also well recognised.
Among a host of awards, he received the Padma Vibhushan in 1957 on the eve of silver jubilee of Air India. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992 for his service to industry and nation building. He also received the Guggenheim Medal for aviation in 1988. He died in Geneva, Switzerland in 1993 at age of 89.