Wealth shared is joy multiplied – is the central message of this beautiful book presented by Russi Lala on the evolution of a Trust conceived by Sir Dorabji Tata and its phenomenal support in building institutions which have not only contributed to nation building but also have established the identity of our country on the global map. The author has unfolded the story of different individuals whose commitment, knowledge and philosophy have been in the sanctum of each of the institutions talked about in this book.
The Dorabji Tata Trust formed in 1932, had its origins in Dorabji’s father, Jamsetji, who had strongly believed in “constructive philanthropy” and had initiated schemes towards it. Dorabji had grown looking at his father’s efforts to share his wealth judiciously with the sole aim of nation building. Dorabji also had developed deep insights in the constructive use of wealth and actively promoted sports and culture during his lifetime. Fortunately, he got married to Meherbai (known as Lady Tata) who was an accomplished lady and had sensitivity towards culture and women issues. After Meherbai and Dorabji’s death in 1931 and 1932 respectively, their personal wealth was converted into the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, with a distinguished board of family and friends who shared the same ideology as Jamsetji, Dorabji and Lady Tata.
It is relatively easy to start a large trust than to run it. The challenges before the Trust (as well as the country) were immense and difficult to prioritize. The author has been very articulate to describe how the Trust focussed on developing and empowering individuals and avoided itself from providing doles. Each and every proposal was carefully evaluated between the board members and measured on its potential for growth and the individuals who were suppose to run it. TISS and Dr. Manshardt, TIFR and Dr. Homi Bhabha, NCPA and Jamshed Bhabha are few of the examples where each of these individuals played an important role in the development of these organisations.
Together with initiatives of building large institutions, the Tata Trust never undermined the need of individuals or small scale social initiatives like empowering the blind, environment, rural welfare etc. The author has narrated various stories to highlight the philosophy of empowering people rather than just endowing money.
Uplifting Social Work to a Learned Profession – The Birth of TISS
The birth of TISS from the experiences of a dwelling in Nagpada (centre of Bombay) reiterates that knowledge and ideas are not patented only by academic institutions. It exists in the public at large. The example of TISS has an underlying message of a social partnerships i.e. how voluntary sector, Govt. sector and the Corporate sector can have a tripartite partnership to build projects/ institutions of national importance. TISS also presents insights into how ideas are converted to reality and that to institutions of such magnitude.
The TISS experience also illustrates how subject knowledge can be drawn from real life examples and concepts and theories could be built around it. The interesting part of the story is the way in which the pioneers of TISS were able to build a legacy around it which was continued through the ages. The style of Dr. Manshardt, Dr. Kumarappa, Dr. Behram Mehta have left behind a rich tradition of education which has continued over the years. The transition from a “school” to an “institute” is also well documented. A shift from only teaching, to look at issues with a research perspective and developing an understanding to contribute constructively to burning social issues was a transformation well articulated by the author.
The recognition of TISS as a deemed university by UGC added credibility to social work in India. Even after getting the university status, the institute continued to be championed by Dorabji Tata Trust. AR Wadia, Madhav Gore, and many others were instrumental in bringing together excellence in all dimensions of social work and human development.
Lifeline – Tata Memorial Centre (TMC)
The death of Lady Tata triggered the need of doing something about the treatment of cancer. The torch was lit by Dorabji’s secretary NM Mazumdar who persuaded the Board to think seriously about the need for cancer research. The Board through its strong linkages around the world was able to bring together a team of well known doctors and researchers to conceptualise a service in cancer care. By 1941, a magnificent hospital was established with architecture of its own league. Detailed and strong architectural concepts were always core to infrastructure developed by the Tatas.
The Tata Trust in principle has always tried to build joint partnerships with the government but has never depended on it. The quest to work together has often led to embarrassing situations with the government and has forced them to mobilize in-company resources to support social issues. Strategically, the goal had always been to hand-over initiatives to government or government run institutions and with the same spirit, TMC was handed over to Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The Tata Trust always believed that no agency other than the government could replicate and sustain large scale initiatives. The role of such Trusts is to demonstrate workable models in real life situations. Unfortunately, the way bureaucracy has unfolded in India; it has demonstrated that welfare by the state is not its cup of tea. Implementation could only be done by private or voluntary agencies. The role of the government should only be left to unbiased regulation, effective governance and sound public policy.
The visioning by the Tata Trust had never been incomplete. The logical continuity of a cancer hospital had been a Rehabiliation Centre which was promoted extensively to take care of the terminally ill patient. The high volume of quality research, exchange programs with global institutes, hosting Internation Cancer Congress has definitely put Tata Memorial Centre on the global map.
Fathoming knowledge – TIFR
The birth of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is one of the most inspiring events in the history of our country. The author has captured the life of Dr. Homi Bhabha with all the primary and secondary colours. Every page of the story unfolds with a deep message of commitment, nationalism, knowledge quest, integrity, and vision to not only make India self-reliant but also a knowledge power.
The author successfully brings our attention to the message of how like minded people come together and create work and situations to get bonded. A trust which has interests in promoting science, an individual with fire in the belly to promote advanced physics, mathematics and astrophysics, a country where Science is still an unknown subject, a political leadership which wants to use Science for competitive advantage come together to establish an institution which is going to prove to be the nerve centre of major scientific activities in the country.
The journey of TIFR from Homi Bhabha’s heart to the shores of South Bombay is not only inspiring but gives a direction of how large institutions could be initiated in our country. These institutions by nature and design are non-political, are accountable to assimilate and generate knowledge for national development and have an agenda to incubate many other institutions.
The tragic death of Dr. Homi Bhabha did not deter the advent of this institution into the frontiers of knowledge. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Cosmic Ray Lab, Physical Research Labs, ISRO are some of the many people driven projects. TIFR has given well known scientists who have personally driven scientific projects of national importance and TIFR not only gave them space to do it but also actively promoted scientific learnings.
Art and Culture redefined – National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA)
An institution to contribute to national culture, art and heritage was needed to complete the portfolio (social education, health care and science) of the Tata Trust. Jamshed Bhabha, a Tata Director & Homi’s brother, pursued the idea and networked with a range of individuals and institutions to establish a world class centre in Bombay.
The idea was not only promoted by the Tata family and companies but also other leading families and companies of Bombay like Ness Wadia Foundation, Mafatlal, Mahindras etc. The idea was to promote Bombay not only as a financial and an industrial hub but also as a cultural centre.
The involvement of the best designers, architects and experts from all over the world had been phenomenal in the creation of NCPA. The location, the architecture, the design, the interiors, each had been carefully deliberated upon before finalization. The centre was a work of modern art itself. The author could not resist himself in describing NCPA as the cathedral of sound; such was the precision in designing the acoustics at the centre.
The centre was never limited to the Tatas and had room for many other charitable Foundations and individuals to contribute and build their own centres of specialised arts like, dance, publication, and theatre. Today, NCPA is one of the jewels of Bombay and any visitor or artist experiences a sense of pride and accomplishment being here.
A new direction to education – National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Dorabji Tata Trust always had the inclination of exploring frontiers which could give a new direction to the advancement of education. NIAS was inspired from institutions in Europe to look at education for practioners like civil servants, scientists, corporate sector etc. Areas like health, human behaviour, philosophy of science, consciousness studies, women policy research, environment etc. were some of the subjects being studied at NIAS.
Philanthropy with a message
Together with initiatives of building large institutions, the Tata Trust never undermined the need of individuals or small scale social initiatives like empowering the blind, environment, rural welfare etc. The author has narrated various stories to highlight the philosophy of empowering people rather than just endowing money.
Final Remarks
Russi M. Lala, the author of this book has done a great service to the nation by documenting the story of a group of people who have looked much beyond their personal domain and have invested into a service where profits might not be immediate but the benefits are surely to be reaped by the generations to come. It is a book to be read by every generation to be able to appreciate the mindset of capitalists who have looked closely at societal development than just their personal profits.
The Dorabji Tata Trust formed in 1932, had its origins in Dorabji’s father, Jamsetji, who had strongly believed in “constructive philanthropy” and had initiated schemes towards it. Dorabji had grown looking at his father’s efforts to share his wealth judiciously with the sole aim of nation building. Dorabji also had developed deep insights in the constructive use of wealth and actively promoted sports and culture during his lifetime. Fortunately, he got married to Meherbai (known as Lady Tata) who was an accomplished lady and had sensitivity towards culture and women issues. After Meherbai and Dorabji’s death in 1931 and 1932 respectively, their personal wealth was converted into the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, with a distinguished board of family and friends who shared the same ideology as Jamsetji, Dorabji and Lady Tata.
It is relatively easy to start a large trust than to run it. The challenges before the Trust (as well as the country) were immense and difficult to prioritize. The author has been very articulate to describe how the Trust focussed on developing and empowering individuals and avoided itself from providing doles. Each and every proposal was carefully evaluated between the board members and measured on its potential for growth and the individuals who were suppose to run it. TISS and Dr. Manshardt, TIFR and Dr. Homi Bhabha, NCPA and Jamshed Bhabha are few of the examples where each of these individuals played an important role in the development of these organisations.
Together with initiatives of building large institutions, the Tata Trust never undermined the need of individuals or small scale social initiatives like empowering the blind, environment, rural welfare etc. The author has narrated various stories to highlight the philosophy of empowering people rather than just endowing money.
Uplifting Social Work to a Learned Profession – The Birth of TISS
The birth of TISS from the experiences of a dwelling in Nagpada (centre of Bombay) reiterates that knowledge and ideas are not patented only by academic institutions. It exists in the public at large. The example of TISS has an underlying message of a social partnerships i.e. how voluntary sector, Govt. sector and the Corporate sector can have a tripartite partnership to build projects/ institutions of national importance. TISS also presents insights into how ideas are converted to reality and that to institutions of such magnitude.
The TISS experience also illustrates how subject knowledge can be drawn from real life examples and concepts and theories could be built around it. The interesting part of the story is the way in which the pioneers of TISS were able to build a legacy around it which was continued through the ages. The style of Dr. Manshardt, Dr. Kumarappa, Dr. Behram Mehta have left behind a rich tradition of education which has continued over the years. The transition from a “school” to an “institute” is also well documented. A shift from only teaching, to look at issues with a research perspective and developing an understanding to contribute constructively to burning social issues was a transformation well articulated by the author.
The recognition of TISS as a deemed university by UGC added credibility to social work in India. Even after getting the university status, the institute continued to be championed by Dorabji Tata Trust. AR Wadia, Madhav Gore, and many others were instrumental in bringing together excellence in all dimensions of social work and human development.
Lifeline – Tata Memorial Centre (TMC)
The death of Lady Tata triggered the need of doing something about the treatment of cancer. The torch was lit by Dorabji’s secretary NM Mazumdar who persuaded the Board to think seriously about the need for cancer research. The Board through its strong linkages around the world was able to bring together a team of well known doctors and researchers to conceptualise a service in cancer care. By 1941, a magnificent hospital was established with architecture of its own league. Detailed and strong architectural concepts were always core to infrastructure developed by the Tatas.
The Tata Trust in principle has always tried to build joint partnerships with the government but has never depended on it. The quest to work together has often led to embarrassing situations with the government and has forced them to mobilize in-company resources to support social issues. Strategically, the goal had always been to hand-over initiatives to government or government run institutions and with the same spirit, TMC was handed over to Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). The Tata Trust always believed that no agency other than the government could replicate and sustain large scale initiatives. The role of such Trusts is to demonstrate workable models in real life situations. Unfortunately, the way bureaucracy has unfolded in India; it has demonstrated that welfare by the state is not its cup of tea. Implementation could only be done by private or voluntary agencies. The role of the government should only be left to unbiased regulation, effective governance and sound public policy.
The visioning by the Tata Trust had never been incomplete. The logical continuity of a cancer hospital had been a Rehabiliation Centre which was promoted extensively to take care of the terminally ill patient. The high volume of quality research, exchange programs with global institutes, hosting Internation Cancer Congress has definitely put Tata Memorial Centre on the global map.
Fathoming knowledge – TIFR
The birth of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is one of the most inspiring events in the history of our country. The author has captured the life of Dr. Homi Bhabha with all the primary and secondary colours. Every page of the story unfolds with a deep message of commitment, nationalism, knowledge quest, integrity, and vision to not only make India self-reliant but also a knowledge power.
The author successfully brings our attention to the message of how like minded people come together and create work and situations to get bonded. A trust which has interests in promoting science, an individual with fire in the belly to promote advanced physics, mathematics and astrophysics, a country where Science is still an unknown subject, a political leadership which wants to use Science for competitive advantage come together to establish an institution which is going to prove to be the nerve centre of major scientific activities in the country.
The journey of TIFR from Homi Bhabha’s heart to the shores of South Bombay is not only inspiring but gives a direction of how large institutions could be initiated in our country. These institutions by nature and design are non-political, are accountable to assimilate and generate knowledge for national development and have an agenda to incubate many other institutions.
The tragic death of Dr. Homi Bhabha did not deter the advent of this institution into the frontiers of knowledge. National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Cosmic Ray Lab, Physical Research Labs, ISRO are some of the many people driven projects. TIFR has given well known scientists who have personally driven scientific projects of national importance and TIFR not only gave them space to do it but also actively promoted scientific learnings.
Art and Culture redefined – National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA)
An institution to contribute to national culture, art and heritage was needed to complete the portfolio (social education, health care and science) of the Tata Trust. Jamshed Bhabha, a Tata Director & Homi’s brother, pursued the idea and networked with a range of individuals and institutions to establish a world class centre in Bombay.
The idea was not only promoted by the Tata family and companies but also other leading families and companies of Bombay like Ness Wadia Foundation, Mafatlal, Mahindras etc. The idea was to promote Bombay not only as a financial and an industrial hub but also as a cultural centre.
The involvement of the best designers, architects and experts from all over the world had been phenomenal in the creation of NCPA. The location, the architecture, the design, the interiors, each had been carefully deliberated upon before finalization. The centre was a work of modern art itself. The author could not resist himself in describing NCPA as the cathedral of sound; such was the precision in designing the acoustics at the centre.
The centre was never limited to the Tatas and had room for many other charitable Foundations and individuals to contribute and build their own centres of specialised arts like, dance, publication, and theatre. Today, NCPA is one of the jewels of Bombay and any visitor or artist experiences a sense of pride and accomplishment being here.
A new direction to education – National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Dorabji Tata Trust always had the inclination of exploring frontiers which could give a new direction to the advancement of education. NIAS was inspired from institutions in Europe to look at education for practioners like civil servants, scientists, corporate sector etc. Areas like health, human behaviour, philosophy of science, consciousness studies, women policy research, environment etc. were some of the subjects being studied at NIAS.
Philanthropy with a message
Together with initiatives of building large institutions, the Tata Trust never undermined the need of individuals or small scale social initiatives like empowering the blind, environment, rural welfare etc. The author has narrated various stories to highlight the philosophy of empowering people rather than just endowing money.
Final Remarks
Russi M. Lala, the author of this book has done a great service to the nation by documenting the story of a group of people who have looked much beyond their personal domain and have invested into a service where profits might not be immediate but the benefits are surely to be reaped by the generations to come. It is a book to be read by every generation to be able to appreciate the mindset of capitalists who have looked closely at societal development than just their personal profits.
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