Jamsetji Tata 114th Death Anniversary: Remembering the Founder of Tata Group Through His Timeless Quotes

Mumbai, May 19: Ask any Indian about the organisations or institutions they are proud of and chances are that Tata group of industries will be at the top of the list. Well, a large part of the credit for that trust goes to the founder of the Tata group, Jamsetji Tata. Not only did he establish the Tata sons group but also left behind a legacy that is taking thousands of people ahead in their future.

It is often said that the best way to know a person is through his words. True, words uttered can be superficial and may be the demand of the time in which they were said but there is always something a wealth of hidden traits of a person embedded in his or her words and quotes. Here's remembering Jamsetji Tata through memorable quotes both by him and on him.

• 1.) "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."

• — Jamsetji Tata in a letter to son Dorab about his vision for the township that would eventually become Jamshedpur.

2.) There is one kind of charity common enough among us… It is that patchwork philanthropy which clothes the ragged, feeds the poor, and heals the sick. I am far from decrying the noble spirit which seeks to help a poor or suffering fellow being… [However] what advances a nation or a community is not so much to prop up its weakest and most helpless members but to lift up the best and the most gifted, so as to make them of the greatest service to the country.

3.) We do not claim to be more unselfish, more generous or more philanthropic than other people. But we think we started on sound and straightforward business principles, considering the interests of the shareholders our own, and the health and welfare of the employees, the sure foundation of our success.

4.) Freedom without the strength to support it and, if need be, defend it, would be a cruel delusion. And the strength to defend freedom can itself only come from widespread industrialisation and the infusion of modern science and technology into the country's economic life.

5.) If you cannot make it greater, at least preserve it. Do not let things slide. Go on doing my work and increasing it, but if you cannot, do not lose what we have already done.

— Jamsetji Tata to his son Dorab while on his deathbed.

Quotes on Jamsetji Tata:

1.) The wealth gathered by Jamsetji Tata and his sons in half a century of industrial pioneering formed but a minute fraction of the amount by which they enriched the nation. The whole of that wealth is held in trust for the people and used exclusively for their benefit. The cycle is thus complete. What came from the people has gone back to the people many times over.

— JRD Tata

2.) When you have to give the lead in action, in ideas — a lead which does not fit in with the very climate of opinion — that is true courage, physical or mental or spiritual, call it what you like, and it is this type of courage and vision that Jamsetji Tata showed. It is right that we should honour his memory and remember him as one of the big founders of modern India.

— Jawaharlal Nehru

3.) While many others worked on loosening the chains of slavery and hastening the march towards the dawn of freedom, Jamsetji dreamed of and worked for life as it was to be fashioned after liberation. Most of the others worked for freedom from a bad life of servitude; Jamsetji worked for freedom for fashioning a better life of economic independence.

— Dr Zakir Hussain, the former president of India

4.) No Indian of the present generation had done more for the commerce and industry of India.

— Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India, following Jamsetji Tata's demise

It is clear from these quotes what Jamsetji Tata meant for India and how enormous is his contribution not only to the field of commerce and industry but also in awakening the Indian mind about its strength and expertise. He may have passed away a long time ago, but his words and actions will forever inspire and positively impact the lives of Indians, propelling us towards great things.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2018 01:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).