Jamsetji Tata..A True Legend

He was a man who sacrificed his entire life for his country and for his people. He strived to bring a higher standard of comfort and civilization and his ideas and vision helped India to advance the economic status.. He was called a “one-man planning commission.” His philanthropy extended beyond India. He is not just a great personality, he is a true legend!

Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, founder of Tata Group, father of Indian industry was an industrialist, nationalist and philanthropist. He was born on March 3^rd, 1839 in Navsari, Gujarat, India. A less known legendary Indian who lead the foundation of modern India and probably he was the first Indian who dreamt of “Make In India.” He dreamt to industrialize India as agriculture alone cannot provide enough employment, he started India’s first steel plant which was then Asia’s biggest, a world class hotel in Mumbai to attract tourists, the industrialized Bombay city had more than 100 textile mills polluting the city with coal fired boilers, so he conceived of setting up a environmentally clean source of energy which leads to the foundation of Tata Hydro-Electric Company near Mumbai. J.N Tata endowment was opened in 1892 to help Indian students to pursue higher education abroad.

A steel plant, world-class hotel, a university of advanced science and a clean energy source were J.N Tata’s four dream projects for his country. He faced many difficulties while realizing these projects. He died at the age of 65, only Taj Mahal Palace hotel was realized when he was alive and the rest of them were realized after his death. His life story makes everyone wonder how a person cared deeply about his country without seeking title or place.

“I will work and give my entire life to serve my country and for the benefits of its people”

Today, on his 177^th birth anniversary, let’s remember him and his life lessons, they teach us many great things.

#1 BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

J.N Tata had chosen a marshy 10 acre land for his new modern textile mill in Nagpur where the abundant supply of water and coal was available. But this land needed to be filled with mud to make it suitable for the mill. A local banker thought Mr. Tata was wasting money and he refused to loan money to him. As the land was near to the availability of coal and transport, J.N Tata got fair profits in this venture. The local banker once refused to loan money to him said, “Jamsetji had put earth into the ground and taken out gold.”

#2 TAKE RISKS TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE

J.N Tata was keen on bringing new technologies to his firms.  J.N Tata adopted the ring frame technology (used to make yarn) for his textile mills along with his technical expert, James brooks. This technology became a popular method of textile industry in India and in England. This innovation doubled the production, increased the share value and also firmly established J.N Tata’s reputation as an astute businessman. He also experimented in agricultural production and attempted to improve the quality of farmland yielded.

#3 TRAVEL EXPANDS YOU

J.N Tata was an inveterate traveler. Many of his business ideas were born during his travels.

#4 NEVER GIVE UP

When J.N Tata thought of a university of advanced studies in India, Lord Curzon, a British official laughed at his proposal and thought this plan would never succeed. J.N Tata faced many hurdles by Lord Curzon but he wasn't disappointed by the Curzon’s rude behavior; he approached the secretary for India over Curzon’s head. Later Curzon accepted J.N Tata’s request under the pressure from higher officials in London. He named his university as The Indian Institute of Science (IISc).


#5 “WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING, ALL THE UNIVERSE CONSPIRES IN HELPING YOU TO ACHIEVE IT” (From “The Alchemist”)

J.N Tata needed 20 million pounds sterling to build his steel plant in India. Some British officials thought it was impossible. But the Tata’s goodwill helped him, when the issue for the steel plant was launched, there was a long queue of investors in front the office. People came with chairs and Tiffin boxes as they are prepared for a long wait.

#6 WORRY IS WORTHLESS

J.N Tata focused much on producing quality cotton in his textile mills and exported their quality cotton to other countries. The British Govt. tried to create hurdles by demanding higher freight charges by the shipping companies. J.N Tata didn’t worried about this, he started his own shipping line called The Tata Line in collaboration with Japan’s NYK shipping company and offered cheaper freight charges than others.

#7 ACCEPT THE DEFEAT. FAILURE IS A PART OF EXPERIENCE, LEARN FROM IT AND MOVE ON!

As the Tata Line offered cheaper freight charges, the other shipping companies reduced their charges to ridiculous price (some offered free shipping). J.N Tata thought it’s an unfair trade and for the first time, he admitted defeat and closed his shipping line.

#8  AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

 During the end of 1890’s, J.N Tata took his foreign friend for a lunch at Watson’s Hotel in Mumbai. He was denied entry into the hotel as he was an Indian. Then, the 59 years old J.N Tata decided to build a world-class hotel that should be bigger and better than Watson’s. He visited London, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Paris for the purpose and in 1898, he lead the foundation of Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai

#9  “ IF YOU KEEP ON BELIEVING THE DREAMS THAT YOU WISH WILL COME TRUE”

A steel plant, a world-class hotel, a university of advanced science and a clean power source were J.N Tata’s four dream projects. J.N Tata died on May 19^th, 1904 in Germany. Among his four dream projects, only Taj Mahal hotel was ready for inauguration when he was alive. The steel plant (TISCO-Tata Iron and Steel Company) was opened in 1907 (Now Tata Steel), the Tata Hydro-Electric Company was opened in 1910 and the Indian Institute of Science was opened in 1911.
                                                                                                                                                           

     J.N Tata had all the possible routes to invest in much profitable companies, but he chosen to develop his country. He built a hotel without calculating the returns on his capital; he pledged almost half of his wealth to fund the University of Advanced Science (IISc Bangalore) and he introduced many labour welfare schemes for his employees. His philanthropic principles were rooted in the belief that for India to climb out of poverty.  Many of his dreams were realized even after his death. He never showed partiality to his region or religion, all he did is FOR THE LOVE OF INDIA

“Go on doing my work”

-Jamsetjee.N.Tata

And it will continue forever....

Mr Ratan.N.Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons paying his respect to Jamsetji Tata at Bombay House, Tata headquarters, Mumbai 

(Image source: Tata Group twitter handle) 

 “A TRUE LEADER DOESN’T SIMPLY LEAD, BUT BUILDS A TEAM THAT CARRIES HIS MISSIONS FORWARD EVEN HE IS NO MORE” 

Suggested Jamsetji Tata's biography books

Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, A Chronicle of His Life by Frank Harris

To read his biography, click HERE

Watch Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Inspirational Speech About Jamsetji Tata, click HERE

For The Love of India, The Life and Times of Jamsetji Tata by R.M lala

Jamsetji Tata, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow by Amar Chitra Katha  (comic series)

Click HERE for Jamsetji Tata's photo gallery by Tata Group

Click  HERE to join in celebrating  Tata's Founders day