I am so sorry, Air India: Indira Gandhi letter to Tata

By Anil Gundmi Last updated Oct 10, 2021 - 10: 19 pm

Air India Indira gandhi tata — Air India, Indira Gandhi letter to Tata

With Tata Sons win bid of India’s oldest Airlines Air India, senior Congress chief Jairam Ramesh shared a letter written by former prime minister Indira Gandhi, addressed to the founding father of the airline, JRD Tata, after he was requested to step down as chairman.

“In February 1978, JRD Tata was summarily eliminated by the Morarji Desai Govt as Chairman of Air India place, he had occupied since March 1953. Right here is a trade that adopted between JRD and Indira Gandhi, who was then out of energy. Her letter was handwritten,” the Congress chief tweeted.

In February 1978, JRD Tata was summarily removed by the Morarji Desai Govt as Chairman of Air India—a position he had occupied since March 1953. Here is an exchange that followed between JRD and Indira Gandhi, who was then out of power. Her letter was handwritten. pic.twitter.com/8bFSH1n6Ua
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 9, 2021

On February 1, 1978, the then-Morarji Desai authorities eliminated Chairman JRD Tata from the boards of Air India and Indian Airways. He was later reinstated on the boards of each airways in April 1980 by Indira Gandhi. However, he didn’t return as chairman. In a handwritten letter in 1978, Gandhi provided her condolences for the federal government’s choice and lauded Tata’s efforts in constructing the airways.

“You weren’t merely Chairman, however the founder and nurturer who felt deep private concern,” her notice learns. “It was this and the meticulous care you gave to the smallest element, together with the decor and the saris of the hostesses, which raised Air-India to the worldwide degree and certainly to the highest of the checklist.”

“We have been pleased with you and of the Airline. Nobody can take this satisfaction from you nor belittle authorities’ debt to you on this respect,” she wrote. Acknowledging the “misunderstanding” between the 2 of them, Gandhi mentioned she needed to perform underneath nice “strain”, and in addition indicated that there have been “rivalries inside the Ministry of Civil Aviation”.

Ramesh additionally shared Tata’s response to the letter, despatched practically two weeks later. “I used to be touched by your sort reference to the half I performed in build up the airline. I used to be lucky within the loyalty and enthusiasm of my colleagues and employees and the help I obtained from authorities without both of which I might have achieved little,” he mentioned.