Ode to JRD Tata: The Pilot of the Indian Industry

July 29 marks the 117th birth anniversary of Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, better known as JRD Tata the longest-serving chairman of Tata group and the founder of many Tata companies. But he was much more than that JRD was an aviation pioneer, art connoisseur, philanthropist, skier and letter writer.

Corporate social responsibility became a big cornerstone of the Tata Group DNA under JRD with institutes like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Tata Memorial Hospital, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the National Institute of Advanced Sciences and the National Centre for the Performing Arts emerging as vital institutions under his leadership.

Here are some of the lesser known facts about JRD-:

• He was born in Paris, France
• Served the French Military, was revered with the French Legion of Honor, the highest award for military merits.
• Did not attend college as he was called back to India to lead the Tata Group
• He joined the Tata group in 1925 as an unpaid trainee.
• JRD was India’s first licensed pilot in 1929.
• On his death, the Indian Parliament was adjourned in mourning; an honour not given to Non-Member of Parliament.