Happiness habit of the day by JRD Tata: ‘I do the best of what there is available, and I'm happy’. A life lesson from industrialist, philanthropist, and Bharat Ratna awardee on living with purpose and living happily

What does it really take to be happy? For JRD Tata, happiness was not about constantly chasing luxury, travel or material comforts. The industrialist, philanthropist and Bharat Ratna awardee believed in making the most of what life offered while remaining useful to others. In an interview with Rajiv Mehrotra, Tata explained why his own idea of happiness had changed over time. His reflections offer a simple but powerful lesson on contentment, purpose and finding joy in making a difference.

JRD Tata's simple approach to happiness

In his conversation with Rajiv Mehrotra, JRD Tata reflected on what the pursuit of happiness meant to him. He explained that his idea of happiness was no longer centred on things such as travelling abroad, spending more money, living exceptionally well or buying expensive cars. Instead, he said, “I do the best of what there is available, and I'm happy.”

For Tata, contentment did not mean giving up on ambition. Rather, it meant recognising what genuinely mattered and finding satisfaction in the life he had built. He also connected happiness with how one affects the people around them. Tata said that knowing others think well of you and feel that you have brought happiness to them can itself become a source of fulfilment. “If other people think that you brought happiness to others and that you've been useful,” he explained, that too is a form of happiness and something worth cultivating.

Why Tata's idea of happiness goes beyond material success

JRD Tata's perspective becomes particularly striking when viewed against his extraordinary career. He spent more than five decades guiding the Tata group and helping shape one of India's most influential business conglomerates. Yet, despite his enormous professional achievements, his definition of happiness was not about accumulating more possessions.

His comments suggest that happiness can come from usefulness, relationships and the knowledge that one's work has benefited others. Rather than constantly measuring life by what remains to be achieved or acquired, Tata emphasised making the best of what is already available.

JRD Tata's lifelong passion for flying

Long before he became one of India's most prominent industrialists, JRD Tata developed a fascination with aviation. JRD Tata's fascination with flying began in France, where he watched aviator Louis Blériot and took his first aeroplane ride at 15. In 1929, he became one of the first Indians to earn a commercial pilot's licence.


Three years later, Tata Aviation Service took off, with JRD piloting its first historic flight from Karachi. He nurtured the airline until Air India was nationalised in 1953, a decision he opposed. Yet his legacy extended far beyond aviation. After decades of building businesses and serving India, Tata believed happiness came from making the best of what life offered and being useful to others.

His contributions to India extended well beyond business and aviation. In recognition of his remarkable impact on Indian industry, his pioneering role in civil aviation and his enduring commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian causes, JRD Tata was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1992.