Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata is born in Paris, the second of four children of Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (Jamsetji Tata’s first cousin) and his wife, Suzanne Briere.

The Tatas purchase a house on the beach in Hardelot, France, where the young ‘Jeh’, as he is fondly known, is enthralled by their neighbour, aviator Louis Bleriot. The family alternates between Bombay and Paris until 1917.

JRD is drafted into the French Army for a year. In 1925, RD Tata summons his son back to India.

In India, he spends a year learning the ropes in Jamshedpur. When his father passes away the same year, JRD is brought on to the Board of Directors in Tata Sons.

JRD Tata becomes the first person to qualify for a pilot’s licence in India, and holds Private Licence No. 1.

JRD Tata marries Thelma Vicaji, affectionately known as ‘Thelly’.

Tata Airlines, the seed of the idea that would grow to become Air India, is founded after tremendous effort by JRD Tata. He pilots the inaugural flight from Karachi to Bombay — which he describes as the moment “a dream became a reality”.

Song of the Clouds

JRD is appointed Chairman of Tata Sons; at age 34, he is the youngest chairman to ever be appointed.

Along with other leaders, like GD Birla, Purshottamdas Thakurdas, Ardeshir Dalal and John Mathai, JRD Tata formulates the Bombay Plan, a long-term strategy for India’s economic development after World War II. The same year, he sets up the JRD Tata Trust.

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is established through the efforts of JRD Tata and Dr Homi J Bhabha, in their endeavour to build a superior institute of scientific research in the country. TIFR becomes the cradle of atomic research in India.

Cradle Of India's Atomic Energy Programme

Following India’s independence, Air India is incorporated as a joint sector venture. When it is nationalised in 1953, JRD Tata is appointed Chairman, a position he holds until 1978.

"Tata doesn't always mean goodbye" Part 1

JRD is nominated Officer of the Legion of Honour — the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding contribution to the recipient’s field of expertise, regardless of their nationality.

JRD Tata is awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, by the Government of India

30 years after his inaugural flight from Karachi to Bombay, JRD Tata re-enacts his exalted journey, also celebrating three decades of Indian aviation.

JRD Tata is made Honorary Air Commodore for the lndian Air Force, and in 1974, Honorary Air Vice-Marshal. In 1963, he was part of a committee that included the three service chiefs and defence secretary, to create a 10-year roadmap for India’s air force.

Tata Consultancy Services is established after JRD Tata recognises the importance of computers, following Dr Homi J Bhabha building India’s first computer at TIFR.

Leading in India, Building for the World

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is built in Mumbai (then Bombay) this year, through the determination of JRD Tata and Dr Jamshed Bhabha, who are driven to give India her own world-class, all-encompassing centre for the arts.

The NCPA at 50

At age 78, he re-enacts Tata Airlines’ inaugural Karachi to Bombay flight to mark the Golden Jubilee of Indian civil aviation.

Wings for a Nation

Titan Company Ltd is established as a joint venture between Tata Sons and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, through the support and encouragement of JRD Tata.

A Titan of Transformation

JRD Tata steps down from the Chairmanship of Tata Sons in favour of Ratan N Tata

Awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

JRD passes away in Geneva, and is interred at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France

In Conversation, an interview with JRD