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Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata
Born on 29 July 1904 in Paris, France, J R D Tata was a French-born, Indian aviator and a great business tycoon. He obtained the 1st pilot licence issued on 10 February 1929 in India. Thus he is known as the ‘father of Indian civil aviation’. India’s first commercial airline was founded by J. R. D. Tata named as Tata Airlines in 1932, later in 1946 it became Air India , now it is India’s National Airline. He remained the Chairman of Tata Sons for 50 years. He also founded Tata Motors in 1945. For his ultimate achievements in aviation sector, he was honoured with the title of ‘Honorary Air Commodore of India’.
In 1956 he established India’s first independent economic policy institute and Tata Consultancy Services as Tata Computer Centre in 1968. The National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi was founded by J R D Tata.
In 1992, J R D Tata was honoured with the Bharat Ratna. He was one of the most innovative Indian entrepreneurs. He founded one of the largest Industrial Houses of India.
He died on 29 November 1993 in Geneva, Switzerland.
J.R.D. Tata, also known as Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, was an Indian industrialist, entrepreneur, aviator, and chairman of the Tata Group. Born in Paris to Parsi parents, Ratanji Dadabhoy and his French wife, J.R.D. Tata was raised in India and attended the Bombay University.
Tata was one of the most influential business leaders of his generation and his work in transforming India into a modern industrial economy is unparalleled. He was a pioneer in the aviation industry in India, launching the first commercial airline, Tata Airlines, in 1932. He was also one of the first businessmen to take a stance on social issues, setting up the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 1936.
Tata was a firm believer in the power of education, and established the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore in 1911, as well as several other educational institutions. He was a strong advocate of the use of science and technology to improve the quality of life in India and was a major proponent of the country’s Industrial Revolution. He also encouraged the development of heavy industry in India, and established the Tata Iron and Steel Company in 1907.
Tata was a leader in philanthropy, donating his own money to various causes. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, for his philanthropic and humanitarian work. He was also a strong proponent of the liberalization of Indian economy, and his work in this regard laid the groundwork for the economic reforms initiated by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao in the 1990s.
J.R.D. Tata was a visionary, and his contribution to India’s economic and industrial development was immense. He was an inspirational leader whose legacy continues to be remembered today.
Bharat Ratna Award
The highest civilian award of the Republic of India is known as BHARAT RATNA. It came into existence on 2nd January 1954. The award was in recognition of extraordinary performance in the field of literature, science, public services, and arts only. This award belongs to all people of India without any discrimination of sex, race, and age. Previously award belonged to only limited criteria but in December 2011 the criteria were changed to include all fields of human endeavour.
Maximum 3 nominees may be awarded per year and recommendations for the same are specially made by the PM to the President. A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion in the shape of a peepal leaf are the only two things being given to the recipients; no money is granted with the award.
In the Indian order of precedence, the Bharat Ratna award comes in the seventh position. But Bharat Ratna recipients are constitutionally prohibited to use the award name as the title as per Article 18 of the Constitution of India.
Since 1954, 44 distinguished individuals have been awarded this prestigious and highest civilian award in the country.
Get the list of Bharat Ratna Awardees by clicking here.
