G. R. Gopinath Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name: Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Gopinath

Nickname: Gopi

Profession(s): • Ex-Army Captain • Entrepreneur • Author • Politician

Known for: Being the founder of Air Deccan, an Indian regional airline

Date of Birth: 13 November 1951 (Tuesday)

Age (as of 2024): 73 Years

Birthplace: Village, Gorur, District Hassan, Mysore, Karnataka

Zodiac sign: Scorpio

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Mysore, Karnataka

Religion: Hinduism

Caste: Brahmin

Age: 73 Years

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EDUCATION

School: Sainik School, Bijapur

College/University: • National Defence Academy, Pune • Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

Educational Qualification: Graduation from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): 5′ 7″ (170 cm)

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (semi-bald)

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Marital Status: Married

Wife/Spouse: Bhargavi Gopinath (entrepreneur)

Children: Daughters – 2 • Pallavi Gopinath (works for Air Deccan) • Krithika Gopinath (works for Air Deccan)

Parents: Father – Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar (a school teacher)

Siblings: He has seven siblings.

Wife: Bhargavi Gopinath

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Awards: • Rolex Awards for Enterprise (1996) • Rajyotsava Award (Karnataka) (2005) • Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur (France) (2007) • Personality of the Decade Award (K.G. Foundation) • Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Award (Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry)

OTHER INFORMATION

Service/Branch: Indian Army

Rank: Captain

Political Party: AAP

Political Journey: • Independent candidate (Bangalore South constituency) (2009) • Aam Aadmi Party (2014)

Social Media: • Instagram • LinkedIn • Twitter

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In July 2013, the Karnataka High Court mandated the closure of Deccan 360, a cargo airline that had been grappling with significant financial troubles. This decision stemmed from petitions filed by United Aviation Services and Patel Integrated Logistics, both of whom were owed payments. The court’s ruling underscored the challenges faced by G. R. Gopinath, the founder of Deccan 360, who had endeavored to bolster the Indian aviation landscape with his ventures. The airline had originally been established with funds from a deal with the UB Group in May 2009; however, it soon encountered severe cash shortages that ultimately led to its demise in 2011.

G. R. Gopinath, a multifaceted individual, has made his mark not only as an Army personnel and a pioneering entrepreneur but also as an author. In 2010, he shared his remarkable journey through the aviation industry with the publication of his book “Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey.” This literary work not only chronicled his experiences in building Air Deccan, India’s first low-cost airline, but also reflected his indomitable spirit and passion for aviation. The launch of “Simply Fly” showcased not only his love for storytelling but also his desire to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

In a significant turn of events in 2011, Gopinath acquired Vijay Mallya’s shares in Deccan Charters, gaining full ownership of the company. This acquisition allowed him to refocus his efforts in the aviation sector, leading to the launch of daily charter flights in Gujarat the following year. Under the banner Deccan Shuttles, these flights connected key cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, and Kandla using a nimble nine-seater Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. However, this service was short-lived, culminating in its termination in 2013, a testament to the turbulent landscape of the aviation industry.

Gopinath’s ambitions extended beyond aviation; in 2014, he ventured into the political arena by contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Bangalore South constituency on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party. Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful in securing a parliamentary seat. Nevertheless, he continued to navigate the evolving aviation sector and, in April 2017, Deccan Charters successfully bid for 34 regional routes under the UDAN scheme, heralding a new chapter in regional connectivity. By December 2017, the airline commenced operations between Mumbai and Nashik, capitalizing on its strategic positioning within the market.

Throughout his career, G. R. Gopinath has also nurtured a deep appreciation for culture, often hosting Indian classical music concerts in his historic bungalow in Bangalore alongside his wife. This passion for the arts reflects his versatile personality and commitment to enriching the community. From navigating the highs and lows of the aviation industry to expressing his creative

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.