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When the clock struck twelve, heralding the beginning of the 20th century, India awoke to an era of hope and resurrection. Political awareness began to spread, and the concept of Swadeshi had started to take root. But long before it became a political craze, the idea had already appealed to a man.
That man’s efforts, the cause of the Swadeshi would eventually represent a vision so far-sighted that few men had the courage to dream of it first. Fortunately for India and its citizens, courage was a quality that Jamsetji Tata abounded.
Jamsetji believed that “freedom without the strength to support and, if necessary, defend it would be a cruel deception. And the strength to defend freedom can only come from widespread industrialization and the introduction of modern science and technology into the country’s economic life lay modern India.
Steely determination
Back then, the rich nations had made their fortunes through rapid industrialization built on the pillars of a strong steel industry. Hence, Jamsetji believed that a domestic iron and steel industry was central to the industrialization of India and the ultimate prosperity of its citizens.
He spent 20 years studying traditional steel towns and factories. He overcame unfavorable government policies, bureaucratic hurdles, a hostile investment environment and public skepticism. While he did not live to see this dream in his lifetime, Jamsetji admonished his sons to realize his plans. His tireless perseverance eventually bore fruit, and the Tata Iron and Steel Company’s (Tata Steel) first steel ingot was launched in 1912.
Today, even more than 100 years later, the steel that emerged from one man’s vision is helping to build the infrastructural backbone of the Indian economy. Consider the following: Almost every car model in India contains Tata Steel; two-thirds of the subway rails, overpasses, and bridges are made of high-strength Tata Steel wire; and 32 major airports across India use Tata Steel.
On the way to scientific independence
Jamsetji believed that economic strengthening could only be sustained if India acquired scientific and technological skills to fuel its progress.
He set aside half of his personal fortune, which included 14 buildings and four estates in Mumbai, to establish a world-class institute for advanced studies to promote original research in all areas of learning and use it for the benefit of India. Jamsetji’s vision eventually became the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which remained one of the few institutes of national importance for several decades.
IISc has helped found several national institutes and through its distinguished alumni has provided the intellectual framework for CSIR and ISRO. Several luminaries such as Nobel Prize winner CV Raman, Homi Bhabha, and Vikram Sarabhai did some of their most groundbreaking work at the IISc.
In this way, Jamsetji’s foresight ensured that the nation’s intellectual wealth would not be depleted and that India’s talents had the opportunity and the resources to be used profitably for the nation.
An India run by Indians
Jamsetji Tata was a scholar who understood the value of education. He believed that “what advances a nation or community is not so much to prop up its weakest and most helpless members, but to elevate the best and most talented to make them the greatest service to the country.”
At a time when changes in rules were making it increasingly difficult for Indians to apply for Indian civil service, Jamsetji started his higher education scholarship program for Indians in 1892.
These scholarships helped the aspirants equip themselves for success. In the 1920s, every fifth Indian in the Indian civil service was a JN Tata Fellow.
Educating Indians to self-govern was just one goal – Tata fellows were also selected in various fields such as medicine, engineering, and law. The grants were always a loan and never a grant. Because Jamsetji believed that self-esteem and self-esteem are essential building blocks of independence.
The JN Tata scholarships are among the most prestigious tools for higher studies today.
Such scholars include names such as KR Narayanan, former President of India; Raja Ramanna, renowned physicist; and RA Mashelkar, former director general of CSIR, who made groundbreaking contributions to India’s progress.
As we pay tribute to this legend that lives on long after his death, the lessons of Jamsetji’s life serve as a useful reminder of what courage, passion, perseverance, and most importantly, courage can achieve.
For the courage of a man – the courage to dream boldly, the courage to fail without being discouraged, and the courage to do what no woman or no man has done – helped a nation advance the path of economic, to pursue scientific and intellectual independence.
The author is an official in the Tata Administrative Service and works with the Corporate Brand & Marketing Team at Tata Sons. Read more about Jamsetji Tata’s life and legacy at tata.com/jntata
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