Chapter 14

                                                The Man Who Gave India Wings


1. Who was the man known as the one who gave India wings?

Answer: The man who gave India wings was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata. He was popularly known as JRD Tata. He laid the foundation of civil aviation in India and played a historic role in developing India’s air transport system.


2. What was JRD Tata’s full name and popular name?

Answer: JRD Tata’s full name was Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata. He was popularly known as JRD, a name by which he became famous all over India and the world.


3. When and where was JRD Tata born?

Answer: JRD Tata was born in Paris on July 29, 1904. His birth in France reflects his international background and exposure to different cultures from an early age.


4. What were the nationalities of JRD Tata’s parents?

Answer: JRD Tata was born to a Parsi father and a French mother. His father belonged to India, while his mother was from France.


5. How did JRD Tata spend his childhood?

Answer: JRD Tata spent his childhood travelling between France and India. This constant movement helped him develop a broad outlook and familiarity with different cultures.


6. What joke was made about JRD Tata’s surname?

Answer: Some people jokingly said that JRD got his surname from an ancestor who stood on the shores of Bombay and waved “ta-ta” to departing ships. This was a humorous remark and not a true explanation.


7. When was JRD Tata recruited into the French army?

Answer: In 1924, at the age of 20, JRD Tata was recruited into the French army as he was a French citizen at that time.


8. Why was JRD Tata sent to England?

Answer: JRD Tata was sent to England to prepare for admission to the Cambridge University. This was meant to help him pursue higher education.


9. Why did JRD Tata not complete a college degree?

Answer: JRD Tata did not complete a college degree because his father Ratanji asked him to return to Bombay and work in the Tata Steel Industry. His father believed that a college degree was not necessary to succeed in life.


10. What happened after the death of Ratanji Tata?

Answer: After the death of Ratanji Tata, JRD Tata, being the eldest son and heir, inherited the Directorship of Tata Sons and the Board.


11. When did JRD Tata give India wings to fly?

Answer: JRD Tata gave India wings to fly in 1932 when he started India’s first aviation service.


12. How did JRD Tata start Tata Aviation Service?

Answer: JRD Tata started Tata Aviation Service by flying a small aircraft from Karachi to Bombay. This marked the beginning of civil aviation in India.


13. When was Air India launched?

Answer: Air India was launched in 1948 jointly by JRD Tata and the Indian government.


14. What role did JRD Tata play in Air India?

Answer: In 1953, JRD Tata was made the chairperson of Air India. He worked tirelessly for the next 25 years to make Air India a successful airline.


15. How long did JRD Tata serve Air India?

Answer: JRD Tata served Air India for about 25 years, dedicating himself completely to its growth and success.


16. In which fields did JRD Tata excel?

Answer: JRD Tata excelled as an aviator, philanthropist, educationist, sportsman, poet, and sculptor. His talents covered a wide range of areas.


17. What highest civilian award did JRD Tata receive?

Answer: JRD Tata received the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, in 1992.


18. Why was JRD Tata awarded the Bharat Ratna?

Answer: JRD Tata was awarded the Bharat Ratna for his outstanding contribution to civil aviation, industry, and his service to the nation.


19. What kind of human being was JRD Tata?

Answer: JRD Tata was not only a successful industrialist but also a great human being. He cared deeply for people and society.


20. How did JRD Tata use the company’s profits?

Answer: JRD Tata ensured that 75 per cent of the company’s profit was spent on looking after workers and helping those in need.


21. What does this show about JRD Tata’s character?

Answer: This shows that JRD Tata was compassionate, generous, and socially responsible. He believed in using wealth for the welfare of society.


22. What was JRD Tata’s last major public statement?

Answer: JRD Tata’s last major public statement was an appeal to Indians to maintain peace.


23. When did JRD Tata pass away?

Answer: JRD Tata breathed his last on November 29, 1993.


24. What does the phrase “breathed his last” mean?

Answer: The phrase “breathed his last” means that JRD Tata passed away or died.


25. Why is JRD Tata remembered even today?

Answer: JRD Tata is remembered for giving India wings through aviation, his leadership, and his humanitarian values.


26. How did JRD Tata contribute to Indian aviation?

Answer: JRD Tata introduced aviation in India, started Tata Aviation Service, launched Air India, and worked hard to make it a world-class airline.


27. What qualities made JRD Tata a great leader?

Answer: JRD Tata’s vision, dedication, hard work, compassion, and concern for workers made him a great leader.


28. What lesson do we learn from JRD Tata’s life?

Answer: We learn that success should be combined with humanity, service to society, and dedication to national progress.


29. Why is JRD Tata called a philanthropist?

Answer: JRD Tata is called a philanthropist because he spent a large part of the company’s profits on social welfare and helping the needy.


30. How did JRD Tata support education?

Answer: As an educationist, JRD Tata supported education through institutions, funding, and encouragement of learning.


31. What does the lesson reveal about JRD Tata’s work ethic?

Answer: The lesson shows that JRD Tata worked tirelessly and remained dedicated to his responsibilities throughout his life.


32. How did JRD Tata’s early life influence him?

Answer: His childhood spent travelling between countries gave him a global outlook and prepared him for leadership roles.


33. Why did JRD Tata return to Bombay from England?

Answer: JRD Tata returned to Bombay because his father asked him to work in the Tata Steel Industry.


34. How did JRD Tata balance business and humanity?

Answer: JRD Tata balanced business success with social responsibility by caring for workers and supporting welfare activities.


35. What role did the Indian government play in Air India?

Answer: The Indian government jointly launched Air India with JRD Tata in 1948.


36. What does the lesson say about college education and success?

Answer: The lesson shows that JRD Tata succeeded without a college degree, as his father believed experience was more important.


37. Why is JRD Tata considered a national icon?

Answer: JRD Tata is considered a national icon because of his contribution to aviation, industry, and nation-building.


38. How did JRD Tata inspire future generations?

Answer: JRD Tata inspired future generations through his achievements, leadership, and commitment to social welfare.


39. What message does JRD Tata’s life give to young people?

Answer: His life teaches young people to work hard, think big, serve society, and remain humble.


40. Why is the title “The Man Who Gave India Wings” appropriate?

Answer: The title is appropriate because JRD Tata introduced aviation in India and helped the nation take to the skies.

Answer by Mrinmoee