Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, August 31, 2024 : In July 1893, two passengers on a ship traveling from Yokohama to Vancouver were an ocher-robed monk and a middle-aged Parsi businessman. During the 12-day journey, their conversation began. One was heading to the USA for business, while the other was on his way to the Chicago World’s Parliament of Religions. One was Swami Vivekananda, and the other was Jamshedji Tata, the father of modern Indian industry.
Their discussion turned to India’s future economy and trade. Swami Vivekananda encouraged Jamshedji to establish steel factories and educational institutions in India. During their conversation, Vivekananda raised the issue of Japan’s Deslai factory, questioning why Jamshedji was not building a factory in India instead of importing Deslai from Japan. He argued that having a factory in India would strengthen the country’s economy by providing employment and keeping wealth within the nation. Jamshedji Tata was impressed by the insights of the monk.
Swami Vivekananda elaborated on the oppression of the Indian people under British rule and the struggle of obtaining basic necessities. On September 11, 1893, Vivekananda gained global recognition with his historic speech at the Chicago World’s Parliament of Religions. Jamshedji Tata, residing in Bombay, was pleased with Vivekananda’s success and was deeply moved by their shipboard conversation.
On November 23, 1898, Jamshedji wrote to Swami Vivekananda, expressing his intention to establish an institution for scientific research and requesting a pamphlet to promote science education in India. Although Swami Vivekananda was occupied with the Ramakrishna Mission and unable to fulfill the request himself, he asked his sister, Sister Nivedita, to meet with Jamshedji Tata.
Swami Vivekananda passed away in 1902, and Jamshedji Tata died in 1904. Tata’s vision of a steel industry in India was carried forward by his successors. In 1907, Tata Steel was established and has since become one of the largest multinational companies. Additionally, the Indian Institute of Science, founded in 1909 through the efforts of the Tata family, remains a source of pride for India today.