J.R.D Tata would have detested the caustic in these lines. He would have felt it much out-dated, primitive. For J.R.D was one who liked to fly beyond the last blue mountain, one who precisely liked to storm the heavens. The sky above him was not his limit. It extended beyond the horizons, beyond the unseen skies of us, lesser mortals. For J.R.D was one, in whom the spirit of the adventure, the fire of a 'Hemingway code-hero' always burned.

When he was in his early eighties he wrote in key note; "Friends who tell me it is ridiculous and foolhardy for an octogenarian to ski, fly a plane or drive fast cars, do not understand the thrill and sense of self-fulfillment obtained from living a little dangerously".

J.R.D's first flight was with a joy-riding pilot in Hardelot. It was during his childhood days. Throughout the flight his father kept praying for his safety till he returned to Terra firma. Ever since that flight, J.R.D was determined to become a pilot. Almost ten years passed (after this) before a flying club opened in Bombay. Only twelve days three hours and forty five minutes of dual-flying experience, J.R.D was let loose on his first solo flight and had within a week qualified for his "A" license.

"No document has ever given me a greater thrill than the little blue and gold certificate delivered to me on 10 February 1929, by the Aero Club of India and Burma on behalf of the Federation Aeronautic International (F.A.I)..." J.R.D has said. He relished those good old days "when the skies were less crowded, the planes less reliable and men and women flew them because they loved to fly".

The passion for flying was kindled in him through a coincidence. Bleriot the first man to fly across the English channel has house on the coast of France near R.D. Tata's house (his father). Bleriot's Pilot who used to land a small plane on the beach nearby once gave. J.R.D a joyride. It was then that the fifteen-year- old boy decided that one day he too would fly.

Within three months of obtaining his flying license J.R.D was in London, in May 1929 to buy a plane as he had found that renting a plane from the club was too expensive. A good light Gipsy motor was available and so he bought one. In those early days young men indulged in their love of speed and flying by giving joyrides to others, When J.R.D flew in France, he enjoyed the experience of landing in small fields and whenever possible visited various friends to give them joyrides. J.R.D has reflected on the experiences with his little puss moth:

"In those early days you really did have to fly, as they say by the seat of your pants. All I had in my moth was a compass, an altimeter, an engine RPM Indicator and an airspeed indicator. That's all".

Days of adventure followed; days when he traversed though the tight rope between life and death; the days when he graceful accepted the defeat in the much coveted Aga Khan Trophy which was eventually won by Aspy Engineer for flying solo from England to India or vice versa. Aspy who beat him by a couple of hours later went on to become the second Indian to be chief of the Indian Air force.

Aviation   and    marriage    came    almost      simultaneously for J.R.D (He got married in 1930) J.R.D has observed, "In May 1930, took on the Aga Khan challenge and came back somewhat as a hero. That may have decided her (Mrs. Thelly Tata in accepting me)". His sisters were the first women to get flying licenses in India. (Syllapetit and Robedah). When asked What has been the most satisfying experiences of your life? He has replied. "The flying experience has dominated. No other can equal the excitement of the first solo flight". Only next to this solo flying experience did he place the opportunity to build up a great world airline.

On 8 June 1948, the first Bombay-London service was launched and who but J.R.D was at the helm of affairs . The visionary, has recalled the thrill of the first flight. "It was for me a great and stirring event which brought to life a dream first dreamed some ten years earlier by a few starry-eyed and slightly demented men; including myself. Seeing the Indian flag displayed on both sides of the Malabar Princess as she stood proudly on the apron at the airports of Cairo, Geneva and London filled with joy and emotion."

Manek Dalal has reminisced about the inaugural flight from the London end. "The first place into a battery of floodlights and cameras clicking was the figure of our chairman in a gray, double breasted, pin-striped suit. As he came down the steps he called out to us "Set your watches, boy! We are right on the schedule", The Indian High Commissioner was there to receive the flight.

J.R.D knew that Air India could not complete in size with the well-established air lines and he never tried. But he had the confidence that his airline's equipment, maintenance and décor were second to none and what is more. Air India could excel in the quality of its service. He has told his employees," I want to establish that there is no airline which is better liked by passengers, that is safer and more punctual, where the food and services is better image which sets better image than Air-India."

The ever-bowing Maharaja was a symbol of that service. Days of dreams and disappointment were to follow. The much debated I nationalization issue, J.R.D's differences with India's leading politicians right from Pandit Nehru, his war of words with Moraji Desai, Jagjivanram. The hot-seat, chairmanship of Air India, his tenure as president of the IATA. Eventful years which later became part of India's Civil Aviation history.

In 1982, though he was no longer Chairman of Air India, J.R.D thought it a pity not be repeat the performance on the Golden Jubilee of the flight. Mr. Tata was 79 then. After several hiccups he got the nod from the authorities. After seven hours in the air and a perfect landing, he spoke extempore to the waiting audience. His first words, "I am little disappointed that I have not been asked (about the commemorative flight) on "why the hell did you do it, if it was so simple?"

Hardly anyone in the audience knew that three weeks earlier J.R.D had suffered a heart attack!

That was the spirit that, was J.R.D. He epitomized the uncased vitality, the inexhaustible zest and unbridled passion for flight of man. No words would excel the poignant of man. No words would excel the poignant tribute, his biographer R.M. Lala, paid to him in the concluding lines of "Beyond the last blue mountain" (A life of J.R.D Tata).

"And as the evening mellows and the shadows lengthen, somewhere above in the sky, in an invisible puss moth, is a voyager still pressing ahead to cross beyond the last blue mountain where a glorious sunset awaits him.

I Hope I was mistaken and beyond that last blue mountain heaven's radiant morning embraced him."