JRD Tata, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata,

 Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata,

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, popularly known as: ”J R D”, (29 July, 1904 – 29 November, 1993) was an Indian entrepreneur, aviator, and Chairman of Tata Group and the shareholder of Tata Sons. In 1929, JRD renounced his French citizenship and became an Indian citizen, and started working at Tata group. Born into the Tata family of India, he was the son of noted businessman Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his wife Suzanne Brière. His mother was the first woman in India to drive a car and, 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 in 1955 and in 1992, he received two of India's highest civilian awards the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna. He was also known as the father of Indian civil aviation. He founded India's first commercial airline, Tata Airlines in 1932, which became Air India in 1946, now India's national airline. He and Nevill Vintcent worked together in building Tata Airlines. The first flight in the history of Indian aviation lifted off from Drigh Road in Karachi with J. R. D at the controls of a Puss Moth. In 1953, the Indian Government appointed JRD Tata as Chairman of Air India and a director on the Board of Indian Airlines – a position he retained for 25 years.