Cambridge Forecast Group Blog

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Sir Ratan Tata Foundation at the London School of Economics & Political Science

The founder of the Tata Empire, Jamsetji Tata, was a true nationalist who foresaw the significance of the industrial revolution for India. He had a desire to catapult India among the leading industrial nations of the world. Sir Ratan Tata, the younger of the two sons of Jamsetji Tata, was born on 20th January 1871. He was educated at St. Xavier’s College in Bombay. Being a director in most of the Tata promoted companies, he naturally took a keen interest in them. After his father’s death in 1904, Sir Ratan along with his elder brother Sir Dorabji followed in the footsteps of their father, in looking after the Tata industrial units with an animated national outlook. Inspired by the thinking of their father, both the sons sincerely believed that in doing so; they were contributing to India’s industrial growth, out of national interest. Thus, the Tata Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., the three Hydro companies and the four Textile Mills were considered by the public as examples of India’s national effort at industrial development.

Sir Ratan was extremely kind hearted and generous, always willing to lend a helping hand to any individual or institution in distress. He had a true Indian outlook with a nationalistic fervour; yet on the other hand, he possessed a balanced, broad-minded mental view-point. Serious charity meant making the effort to identify a cause one deeply cared about, and then devoting time as well as effort and money. In his short, but satisfying lifetime, Sir Ratan had identified several issues, which would bear testimony to his munificence. A glance at donations and endowments made by him during his lifetime, as exemplified below, typifies his concern for various deserving causes, and is an insightful antecedent to the Trust’s present day grant-bestowing policy.

• Servants of India Society
• Mahatma Gandhi and South Africa
• Sir Ratan Tata Foundation at the London School of Economics & Political Science
• Archaeological excavations at Pataliputra in Patna
• Sir Ratan Tata Art Collection

  Servants of India Society

  The founding of this brotherhood in Poona, on June 12, 1905, was the outcome of Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s convictions that if the masses were to be liberated to function as active members of Free India, they must have a band of selfless and intelligent workers, who would dedicate their lives to the service of the nation. Sir Ratan was a personal friend of Gokhale, and upon the latter’s request, gave the Society an amount of Rs. 10,000 annually, for a period of ten years for its welfare work for the weaker sections of the society. This instance of Sir Ratan’s largesse could be viewed as a precursor to the present grant bestowing policy of the Trust, with regards the issue at hand and the manner in which the same can be effectively addressed.

  Mahatma Gandhi and South Africa

During his days as a practising barrister in Transvaal, South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi headed a non co-operation movement, protesting against the plight of Asians, and particularly Indians, under the prevailing regime. The movement had run into rough weather with the authorities, leading to persecution of the Indian community. Monetary aid was the need of the hour and Sir Ratan responded generously to a plea from Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Between 1909 and 1913, a total sum of Rs. 1.25 lacs was disbursed by him, in installments, enabling the Mahatma continue his fight for the rights of Indians in South Africa.Overwhelmed by the magnanimity of one such installment made by Sir Ratan, the Mahatma wrote, “That India has been roused is evident from the generous gift of Mr. Ratanji Jamshedji Tata. By his big donation of Rs. 25,000 he has given a powerful impetus to our movement. He will probably be followed by other Indians. Parsis are known the world over for their generous gifts. Mr. Tata has been true to that spirit of generosity.” Sir Ratan Tata Trust 2005.