Biography of G.R. Gopinath: Founder of Deccan- Indian Entrepreneur, Politician & Author
Biography of G.R. Gopinath:
The Early Years of G.R. Gopinath
G.R. Gopinath, born on November 13, 1951, in Gorur, Hassan,
hails from a Kannada family and spent his early years in a small village in
Gorur, Karnataka. His father, Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, a school teacher, held
unconventional views about formal education, believing schools enforced regimentation.
Consequently, he initially educated Gopinath at home, a departure from
traditional schooling norms.
Overcoming Challenges in Education
Gopinath's educational journey faced hurdles early on. When
he entered a Kannada medium school relatively late, starting at Standard V, he
encountered difficulties. His initial attempt to enter military school failed
due to his lack of fluency in English. However, with support from his
headmaster, who appealed to the defence ministry, Gopinath was granted the
opportunity to take the entrance exam in Kannada. Despite not succeeding on his
first attempt, he persevered and successfully cleared the entrance on his
second try.
Military Training and Career Beginnings
In 1962, Gopinath gained admission to Sainik School in
Bijapur, a pivotal step that prepared him for the National Defence Academy
(NDA) entrance exams. After rigorous training at Sainik School, he successfully
cleared the NDA entrance and continued his education at the prestigious National
Defence Academy in Pune. Following this, he graduated from the Indian Military
Academy in Dehradun, marking the beginning of his illustrious military career.
From Soldier to Entrepreneur: The Journey of Captain
Gopinath
Military Beginnings
After completing his schooling, Captain Gopinath embarked on
a career in the Indian Army. His service coincided with the 1971-72 Bangladesh
Liberation War, during which he was stationed in Sikkim and rose to the rank of
Captain. Despite his military achievements, he grew restless waiting for career
advancement.
Founding Deccan Aviation
Capt. G.R. Gopinath's journey into aviation began in
Bengaluru in 1992 when he partnered with Captain K.J. Samuel, a former army
friend and freelance pilot, to establish Deccan Aviation. Seizing the
opportunity amidst India's regulatory reforms aimed at fostering
entrepreneurship, they started a commercial helicopter service. Deccan Aviation
quickly gained prominence, providing chartered flights widely utilized by
politicians and participating in numerous rescue missions across Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Kabul, and South India. The company expanded to become one of the
largest private air charter firms in both India and Sri Lanka.
Transition to Entrepreneurship
At the age of 28, Gopinath decided to take early retirement
from the army. His entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of an
ecologically sustainable sericulture farm, where his innovative methods
garnered him the prestigious Rolex Laureate Award in 1996. Building on this
success, he ventured into diverse sectors including an Enfield dealership and a
hotel in Hassan.
Venturing into Low-Cost Aviation with Air Deccan
Inspired by the successful models of Southwest Airlines and
Ryanair, Capt. Gopinath launched Air Deccan in 2003 as India's first low-cost
airline. The airline aimed to democratize air travel by offering affordable
fares, significantly expanding air connectivity across the country.
Public Offering and Strategic Changes
Deccan Aviation went public in May 2006, but Air Deccan
struggled financially, despite its initial success in connecting sixty-nine
cities across India. In 2007, Vijay Mallya's UB Group acquired a strategic 26%
stake in Deccan Aviation, later merging it with Kingfisher Airlines. Capt.
Gopinath subsequently sold most of his stake in the company in 2009.
Biography of G.R. Gopinath: Founder of Deccan- Entrepreneur/Politician & Author/Captain of Indian Army/Journey of G.R. Gopinath/Success story
Aviation Ventures
In 1997, Gopinath co-founded Deccan Aviation, a pioneering
charter helicopter service, with two fellow air force friends. This marked the
beginning of his significant impact on the aviation industry. Expanding his vision,
he launched Air Deccan in 2003, India's first low-cost airline, which later
merged with Kingfisher Airlines in 2007. His bold initiatives continued with
Deccan 360, a freight flight business launched in 2009.
Evolution of Deccan Charters
During the merger of Kingfisher with Air Deccan, Deccan
Aviation's charter services division was spun off into a new entity known as
Deccan Charters Limited. This move was facilitated by the receipt of its
Non-Scheduled Air Operator Permit (NSOP) from the DGCA on October 10, 2008.
Throughout this period, Deccan Charters expanded its operations significantly,
particularly in offshore flying for the oil sector, maintaining a satisfactory
performance.
Deccan 360 and Financial Challenges
Following the infusion of funds from the UB Group deal, G.R.
Gopinath ventured into the cargo airline sector with Deccan 360, which
commenced operations in May 2009. However, the venture encountered severe
financial constraints and was forced to cease operations in 2011. Concurrently,
in 2011, Gopinath acquired full ownership of Deccan Charters by purchasing
Vijay Mallya's stake, solidifying his control over the company.
Deccan Shuttles and Regional Expansion
In the subsequent year, G.R. Gopinath launched a daily
charter flight service branded as Deccan Shuttles in Gujarat. These flights
connected key cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, and Kandla
utilizing a nine-seater Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. However, the service
concluded in 2013, marking a shift in focus for Deccan Charters.
UDAN Scheme and Air Deccan Revival
In April 2017, Deccan Charters successfully bid for and
secured 34 regional routes under the UDAN scheme in India. Operating under the
Air Deccan brand, the airline was slated to commence operations in December
2017 with flights initially connecting Mumbai and Nashik. Air Deccan planned to
utilize 19-seater Beechcraft 1900D turboprop aircraft, suitable for short-haul
flights, and had intentions to expand connectivity from major cities like
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Shillong to surrounding regional towns.
Achievements and Recognition
Gopinath's contributions to aviation and entrepreneurship
earned him international acclaim. In 2006, he was knighted with the
"Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur" by the French Government. His
innovative approaches and leadership in Air Deccan garnered numerous accolades,
solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the aviation sector.
Political Aspirations
Beyond business, Gopinath ventured into politics. In 2009,
he contested as an independent candidate in the Bangalore South constituency
during the Lok Sabha elections, albeit unsuccessfully. He later aligned with
the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the 2014 elections but faced defeat once again.
Conclusion
Captain Gopinath's journey from military service to
pioneering entrepreneurship exemplifies resilience and innovation. His ventures
in aviation transformed the landscape of air travel in India, making it more
accessible to the masses. Despite challenges in both business and politics,
Gopinath's legacy as a visionary entrepreneur and a determined leader continues
to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and change-makers across the country.
Awards and Recognition
Captain Gopinath has been honored with several prestigious
awards throughout his illustrious career:
- 1996: Rolex Awards for Enterprise, recognizing his innovative contributions.
- 2005: Rajyotsava Award by the Karnataka government, for his outstanding service.
- 2007: Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur by the French government, in recognition of his significant achievements.
- Personality of the Decade Award by K.G. Foundation, underscoring his influence and impact.
- Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Award from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry, honoring his entrepreneurial spirit.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree from ASBM University, Bhubaneswar, conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind on September 16, 2023, acknowledging his contributions to society and business.
In Popular Culture
Gopinath's inspiring life story has also made its mark in
popular culture:
- The 2020 Tamil-language film Soorarai Pottru drew inspiration from events in his life, based on his memoir Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey.
- In 2024, the film Sarfira, starring Akshay Kumar, further explores his life and achievements, reaching a broader audience.
Books by Gopinath
Gopinath has authored insightful books that delve into his
experiences and perspectives:
- Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey (2010), published by Collins Business, narrates his entrepreneurial journey and vision.
- You Cannot Miss This Flight: Essays on Emerging India (2017), published by HarperCollins, offers his reflections on the evolving landscape of India.
Key Events
November 13, 1951: Born in Gorur, Hassan, Karnataka.
1962: Admitted to Sainik School, Bijapur, setting the stage
for his military career.
1971-72: Participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War as a
Captain in the Indian Army.
1992: Founded Deccan Aviation with Captain K.J. Samuel,
initiating his entrepreneurial journey in aviation.
2003: Launched Air Deccan, India's first low-cost airline,
revolutionizing domestic air travel.
2006: Knighted with "Chevalier de la Legion
d’Honneur" by the French Government for his contributions to aviation.
2009: Ventured into cargo airline sector with Deccan 360,
followed by acquiring full ownership of Deccan Charters.
2017: Successfully bid for 34 regional routes under UDAN
scheme, marking the revival of Air Deccan.
September 16, 2023: Conferred with an honorary Doctorate
Degree from ASBM University, Bhubaneswar, by President Ram Nath Kovind,
recognizing his societal contributions.
