New Delhi: Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, commonly known as JRD Tata was an Indian industrialist, aviator and former chairman of Tata Group who was also a philanthropist. Born on July 29, 1904, in France, he was the second child of Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, who played a key role in the growth of the Tata Group and his wife, Suzanne “Sooni” Brière who was French. His father was Jamsetji Tata’s cousin, the one who founded the Tata Group.
JRD Tata and growing up in France
JRD Tata spent much of his childhood in France since his mother was French and it became his first language. He also studied in Bombay schools and was also educated in France, London and Japan. After the death of his mother, JRD Tata went to England for higher studies. As a French citizen, he also served in the French Army. After his tenure in the French Army ended, his father brought him back to India to join the Tata Company. In 1929, he gave up his French citizenship and became a citizen of India.
JRD Tata and the inception of Air India
Louis Blériot, JRD Tata’s friend’s father, was the first man to fly across the English Channel and he was inspired to fly. He got the first license issued in our country on February 10, 1929. Called the “Father of Indian civil aviation”, JRD Tata established Tata Airlines, the first commercial airline in India in 1932. In 1946, it became Air India. In 1929, JRD Tata became one of the first Indians to get a commercial license. After Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru nationalised Air, JRD became its first Chairman and he served in that role for 25 years.
Tata Sons, Tata Motors and other ventures
In 1938, JRD Tata became the Chairman of Tata Sons at the age of 34. He took the Tata Sons and the overall Tata Group to greater heights. Under his leadership, Tata Group’s assets grew from $100 million to more than $5 billion. When he started, he had 14 enterprises and when he left on July 26, 1988, Tata Sons had 95 enterprises.
In 1945, he founded Tata Motors and in 1968, he founded Tata Consultancy Services as Tata Computer Centre. Also, he founded Titan Industries, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). He cared greatly for his workers and encouraged them to be more vocal about the company’s matters. He started eight-hour working days, a workers’ provident scheme, free medical aid and accident compensation schemes for workers.
For his works, he was honoured with the French Legion of Honour in 1982. In 1955, he received the Padma Vibhushan and in 1992, he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. He passed away on November 29, 1993, at the age of 89 in Geneva.
In 1938, JRD Tata became the Chairman of Tata Sons at the age of 34. He took the Tata Sons and the overall Tata Group to greater heights while maintaining high ethical standards. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
