"When it comes to fulfilling my duties, I want to be known as an honest man." This simple line perhaps describes the Bharat Ratna Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata. The 108th birth anniversary of the finest visionary was celebrated today across Jamshedpur, Jharia and Noamundi and other out locations of Tata Steel.

The day's events include Sit & Draw competitions, Mother & Child Health check-up camps, marathon and other such programmes. The Sonari Airport was host to the thematic exhibition on JRD's life and times showcasing philosophy of the visionary industrailist.

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata, the man who gave wings to the nation was extremely passionate about flying. It was JRD who in 1932 laid the foundation of civil aviation in India through Air India and Indian Airlines.

Appropriately, the Sonari Aviation Centre also offered a spectacular Static display of aircraft along with the Aeromodeling show enthralling the audience at large. Ms Surekha Nerurkar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest for the show. She said, "I feel honored to fondly remember Mr JRD Tata on his 108th birthday. Born in the business family of Tata's, he left indelible mark on country's economic and social life. The driving force of his life was the joy of achievement".

She added, "JRD undertook two commemorative flights to mark 30th and 50th anniversary of civil aviation if India, from Karachi to Bombay. This act was to inspire young people of our country and to prove that there is joy in having done something as well as you could and better than others thought you could." Also present on the occasion was Mr H M Nerurkar, Managing Director, Tata Steel, Mr Subodh Bhargava, Company Board member, Tata Sons and other senior officials of the company.

The sports department of Tata Steel also celebrated the occasion by organizing a Cross Country Race which was flagged off by Mr Sanjiv Paul, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, from the Athletic Stadium, JRD Tata Sports Complex. The participants were from different categories like Open Schools of Jamshedpur, children from Tribal Culture Society, Tata Steel Rural Development Society, Urban Service, JRD Centres and Tata Group Children. More than 2, 500 children participated in the event.

Jeh, as lovingly he was alternatively called, joined the Tata Group as Chairman at the age of 28 and stepped down from the post half a decade later. However, this was not before turning the business conglomerate into an enterprise of 95 companies. From the beginning of his stewardship, 'Jeh' emphasized on improving the quality of life of the people and the Tata Steel Family Initiative Foundation, Centre for Excellence and Family Initiatives suitably put up a splendid show of events today encapsulating thematic exhibition on JRD's life and times. JRD was the pioneer in setting up examples in Family Welfare Progrrames. In 1951, while addressing a meeting for stakeholders he highlighted importance of population control and his efforts later received recognition by the United Nations by conferring him the Population Award in 1992.

The celebrations of JRD's birthday extended to the Jharia and Noamundi divisions and other locations and was marked with various events including an under- 13 inter village football match, inter village football match, blood donation camp, and other such programmes.

A few competitions such as skits on social issues, football matches etc were held at the Digwadih Stadium. The spectators were thrilled with the performances and participation of the young boys and girls, underscoring their enthusiasm.

At the Noamundi Division, floral tributes were paid to JRD at the Pit Office & Bottom Bin marking the beginning of the memorable day. Furthermore, the division has also organized sports events to mark the day which entails Cross Country Race for school children and Inter School Football Final Match at Sports Complex, Noamundi.

The Noamundi audience was treated with an exhibition football match between SAIL Academy, Bokaro Steel and West Bokaro XI at the Tata DAV football ground along with a Badminton game at the C Hospital and a Sit and Draw competition at the JRD Sports Complex, Noamundi.