J.R.D Tata was the founder of Air-India, whose maiden flight on October 15, 1932 heralded the birth of Indian Civil Aviation. Glowing tributes will be paid to him on his birth centenary on July 29, 2004. To ensure that Mr Tata stands tall in our midst at all times, a 7.5? tall bronze statue of JRD will be installed at the Old Airport Complex, Mumbai, which houses most of Air-India?s offices on his one hundredth birth anniversary.

The purpose is to remind Air-Indians of JRD Tata?s high ideals, his pursuit of excellence and expectations from employees to make Air India an airline of first choice.

THE FOUNDER- Air- India started as a single man?s enterprise and today it has carved a place in the global aviation industry with a route network covering 51 online stations. It was J.R.D Tata?s epoch making flight, operated on the Karachi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai sector on October 15 1932. that marked the birth of civil aviation of India and Air-India then called Tata Airlines.

He headed this Airline till 1978. It began with just two tiny de Havilland Puss Moths very little money and very little support from the Government. Had it not been the sweat, love, labour and devotion and the sacrifices of JRD Tata and the small band of dedicated and loyal old timers who worked under his leadership in the pioneering days the airline could not have possibly survived.

A PERFECTIONIST ? JRD was committed to providing passengers with top grade service. Under his guidance, Air-India was acknowledged as a leader in the aviation business. Though he presided over a vast industrial empire, aviation and the airline he founded remained his first love. He was an individual who was involved with every facet of public life. In recognition of his outstanding work in diverse fields, including industrial development, technological and scientific education and research and aviation, he received numerous national and international honours, notably the Bharat Ratna and the award of .International Management Man?.

The doyen of Indian Civil Aviation is no longer in our midst, but JRDs entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to Air-India and the country will always be remembered with pride.

Have a great flight

Anu

No. of times flown on this Airlines:	Between 4 - 6
Class flown most frequently:	Economy Class