The 116th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna JRD Tata, a legendary figure and doyen of aviation in India is celebrated with zest and gusto. One of the most charismatic leaders that the Tata Group has ever been bestowed with, JRD Tata’s birth anniversary is celebrated at all locations of the Company and many of its neighboring and project areas. At Jamshedpur, Tata Steel pays tribute to JRD Tata’s unmatched contribution to the aviation industry in India. JRD Tata had introduced civil aviation into the subcontinent in 1932 with the launch of ‘Air India’.
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (JRD Tata) (29 July 1904 – 29 November 1993) was an Indian aviator, entrepreneur, Chairman of Tata Group . Born into the Tata family of India, he was the son of noted businessman Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his wife Suzanne Brière. In 1929, he became the first licensed pilot in India. He is also best known for being the founder of several industries under the Tata Group, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Titan Industries, Tata Salt, Voltas and Air India.
In 1983, he was awarded the French Legion of Honour and in 1955 and 1992, he received two of India’s highest civilian awards the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna. These honours were bestowed on him for his contributions to Indian industry.
“Let industries established in the countryside ‘adopt’ the villages in its neighborhood; …it is also clearly in the interests of industry that surrounding areas should be healthy, prosperous and peaceful.” These words of J R D Tata have paved the path for Tata Steel in all its aspects from business to social welfare.