Daring to dream big

“Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without deep thought and hard work.” - JRD Tata

Nothing reads more encouragingly than the true success story of visionary entrepreneur who started from nothing and rose to the top of their game over the years. The journey has not been easy with strikes, shortages of labour and manpower, policy changes, corruption and economic slowdowns rearing their heads at different points in the Indian growth story. we salute their entrepreneurship and hope they inspire some of us to achieve their drive and success.

Everyone knows the Tatas. Some of us, at some point, might have even worked in an enterprise they run. But this multibillion dollar business conglomerate did not root in solid ground overnight. It was the hardwork, commitment and vision of one man, who took what he had and made it the best one in the playground.

JRD Tata was one of the most enterprising Indian entrepreneurs. He was a pioneer aviator and built one of the largest industrial houses of India. 

JRD Tata was born on July 29, 1904 in Paris. His mother was a French, while his father was Parsi. JRD's full name was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and he was popularly known as Jeh to his friends. JRD's father Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and Sri Jamsetji Tata shared their greatness from the same great-great-grandfather, Ervad Jamsheed Tata, a priest of Navsari

JRD Tata may be remembered for his fool-proof business strategy and unbelievable turnovers, but his true legacy as an entrepreneur started with thinking outside the box. At a time when the World Wars were in play and the world was advancing in mechanics and technology, JRD decided to put his love for flying into action and turned his attention to the then less-popular aviation industry. He not only became India’s first licensed pilot but also founded India’s first commercial airline in 1932 – Tata Airlines (now known as Air India). Hailed the ‘Father of the Aviation Industry’, JRD’s success lies in the fact that he decided to dive into an industry, the potential of which was gravely underplayed in the Indian market, and create history among the skies. Like every entrepreneur, he came up with a unique idea and made it a global success through sheer force of commitment.

“Making steel may be compared to making a chappati. To make a good chappati, even a golden pin will not work unless the dough is good.” - JRD Tata

JRD created business history at a time where India was straight-jacked by an economic limbo, even forty years into its Independence from British rule. Being able to secure and promote an industrial revolution, so to speak, as the pinnacle of a new kind of entrepreneurship was a serious risk that JRD was taking. India had not yet recovered from its economic ‘drain of wealth’ and every effort was being pooled in to recover our natural assets. Not only did JRD dive head-long into a pile of ‘could-be’, he managed to take the situation by its head and turn it into a multi-crore success. Although the Tata Group had been flourishing at the time of his ascent, he was the first to preclude it into the array of success it currently enjoys by bringing a whole new set of ideas to the table.

“No success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people and is achieved by fair and honest means.” - JRD Tata

JRD was a man of the future. He was the first to incorporate a functioning HR Department in his company. He also altered the selection process to be on the basis of merit instead of dynasty. He also introduced the concept of ‘paid leaves’ that was soon to become vastly active in the workforce. JRD also pioneered for the eight-hour day, before even the United States or Britain had formally incorporated it into their legislation. A philanthropist by nature, JRD has always claimed that he wanted India to be a ‘happy country’. To this extent, he wished to offer her the chance to meet other nations on an equal footing on all levels, starting with taking a lead in the world of business.

We salute you, sir!