Enjoy the Paintings
Published on 15/10/2024
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The Story of the First Ever Flight from India

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On October 15, 1932, history was made! The civil aviation industry in India, now one of the world’s largest, owes its beginnings to a single flight. It was taken by a Paris-born Parsi with a vision to connect with his roots & shape the future.

Indians remember Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata as the leader of India’s largest industrial group for five decades. He is also celebrated as a visionary who played a crucial role in establishing the aviation industry in India, including the flagship airline

JRD Tata was born in Paris but shocked many when he renounced French citizenship and returned to India. Just twelve days after the launch of India’s first flying club in Bombay – the Aero Club of India & Burma – JRD achieved his dream of becoming a pilot.

n 1932, following the family tradition, JRD established a business named Tata Airlines. Their vision was to transport mail & passengers in India. They faced a problem: lack of proper facilities. Initially, the firm operated out of a small hut with a thatched roof at the Juhu Airstrip in Bombay.

On October 15, 1932, JRD himself piloted the first-ever flight of Tata Air Services from Karachi’s Drigh Road Aerodrome to Mumbai’s Juhu Airstrip via Ahmedabad. The aircraft, a single-engine De Havilland Puss Moth, carried 25kg of 4-anna airmail letters.

Tata airlines became a public limited company on July 29, 1946, when regular commercial service resumed in India after World War II. It was renamed Air India Ltd and was nationalized in 1953.

JRD re-enacted his historic flight in 1962 and then again on its 50th anniversary in 1982, flying solo from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad.

The civil aviation industry in India, one of the largest globally, traces its origins to a single flight taken by a Paris-born Parsee who sought to return to his roots and make history.

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

17 Comments

    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Dear Cheryl, hoping you are healthy and doing well. Thank you and Also apologies for taking this long a time to write back. Hoping you are healthy and enjoying welcoming another year. Narayan

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thanks Durga, hope you are healthy and doing well, Also apologies for taking this long a time to write back. Hoping you are healthy and enjoying welcoming another year. Narayan

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  6. Shweta's avatar
    Shweta says

    A very fascinating read. It is amazing that the Indian civil aviation industry owes its origin to a Paris born Parsi with a great vision. Even more so, now that Air India has been reclaimed by the Tata group.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya's avatar
      Narayan Kaudinya says

      True, Shweta and I imagine this has been how India or Bharat has or will become the light as it is being lit in enormous amounts with so many people coming from all walks and all parts of life. It may take time but it feels so. Thanks much Also apologies for taking this long a time to write back. Hoping you are healthy and enjoying welcoming another year. Narayan

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      • Shweta's avatar
        Shweta says

        I hope that we get there some day too. There is no need to apologize. I haven’t checked the comments in a few days too. It’s okay. We all need a break from time to time

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