The Years
That Shaped Us

Jamsetji Tata starts the Endowment scheme which will go on to support promising students from all over India and from all walks of life.

The first JN Tata scholar, Freny K. R. Cama was sent to Edinburgh for advanced studies in medicine. Other luminaries who were also JN Tata scholars include:

• Former President KR Narayanan
• Renowned scientists Raja Ramanna, Jayant Narlikar and Raghunath Mashelkar
• Jnanpith Award winner writer and actor Girish Karnad

Jamsetji starts planning a modern steel plant in India. At a time when townships in the west are haphazardly built around coal mines, Jamsetji wants to protect his workers from the factory smoke by setting up a township in the direction opposite to the prevailing wind.

Jamsetji embarks on another project — of reclaiming some twelve hundred acres of land around the Mahim creek in Mumbai and improving the health of the city.

In a letter to his son Dorabji, Jamsetji wrote, 'Be sure to lay wide streets planted with shady trees, every other of a quick- growing variety. Be sure that there is plenty of space for lawns and gardens. Reserve large areas for football, hockey and parks. Earmark areas for Hindu temples, Mohammedan mosques and Christian churches.'

While presenting his plans to the Collector of Thane, Jamsetji wrote that, 'The chief advantage I am looking forward to is the improvement in the health of Bombay consequent on the reclamation of drowned lands, the malarial exhalations from which are at present carried to Bombay island by the north wind.'

Jamsetji Tata passes away leaving behind his dreams of a modern steel plant, a hydroelectric power plant and a university of science that will be fulfilled by his sons.

In Jamsetji's obituary, the British Editor of The Times of India wrote, '...his sturdy strength of character prevented him from fawning on any man, however great, for he was great in his own way, greater than most people realised. He sought no honour, he claimed no privilege, but the advancement of India and her myriad peoples were with him an abiding passion.'

Jamsetji's dream of building an iron and steel company in India and uplifting the country with industrialisation is realised with the discovery of rich coal mines in Sakchi.

Tata Iron and Steel Company became the first Indian company to issue shares to the public. At that time, the Tata family owned 11% of the total shares of the Tata Iron and Steel Company.

The illustrious Indian Institute of Science is set up as a joint venture of the Tatas, the Government of India and the Government of Mysore, which becomes the launching pad and hub of scientific research in India and Asia.

The Indian Institute of Science was a first of its kind institute in Asia and over the years it has generated world renowned scientists. Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman was the Institute's first Indian Director.

In the last six years of his life, Sir Ratan Tata contributes a handsome amount annually to the London School of Economics to aid research on poverty alleviation.

Sir Ratan Tata passes away in 1918, at the age of 48, leaving behind all his property to be used for the betterment of society.

Sir Ratan Tata noted in his will, 'If I have no children, I give the rest of the residue of my property ... for the advancement of education, learning and industry in all its branches including education in economy, sanitary science and art or for other works of public utility...'

Sir Dorabji Tata sponsors the Indian contingent of six members, four athletes and two wrestlers to the Antwerp Olympics in 1920.

Sir Dorabji Tata, with the help of Dr A G Noeheren, the then Director of the YMCA, established the Indian Olympic Association in 1927, becoming the Founder President and Secretary General respectively of IOA.

Lady Navajbai Ratan Tata establishes the Sir Ratan Tata Institute to provide training and opportunities of employment to poor and aged Parsi women.

The building which is now known as the Ratan Tata Institute was donated by Lady Navajbai Tata to the Stri Zarthosti Mandal which needed space to expand its work of financially uplifting poor and needy Parsi women.

The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust is founded, which is one of the oldest non-communal and multipurpose charitable trusts in India.

Sir Dorabji Tata passes away, leaving behind his entire fortune — including a share of 40% in Tata Sons — to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust which is to be formed after his death.

Sir Dorabji Tata did not have an heir and when he passed away in 1932, he left his entire fortune to a non-communal multi- purpose trust. He also donated all his belongings, including his late wife's Jubilee diamond which was two times larger than the Kohinoor and also his smallest pearl-studded tie-pin.