Jamsetji Tata was much more than an industrial entrepreneur who paved the way for India to be recognised among advanced nations as a force to be reckoned with. First and foremost, he was a Patriot and a Nationalist who believed that success in business was meant primarily for progress of the Country in every sphere of development.
| "That he was a man of destiny is clear. It would seem, indeed, as if the hour of his birth, his life, his talents, his actions, the chain of events which he set in motion or influenced, and the services he rendered to his country and to his people, were all pre-destined as part of the greater destiny of India." |
| - JRD Tata |
This tribute to J.N. Tata (1839-1904) is a sincere recognition of the exemplary genius that inspired him to dream, explore, and find means of translating a vision into reality. One of the greatest pioneers of all times, Jamsetji not only founded and consolidated the position of Indian Industry and enterprise but also prepared the blueprint for building and strengthening the Nation. The twin qualities of integrity and trust that epitomise the House of Tatas reflect the vision and inspirational leadership of its Founder, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.
In his lifetime J.N. Tata’s nationalistic outlook was shaped by three guiding stars - building an iron and steel company, generating hydro-electric power and creating an institution that offer the best education in science. Jamsetji Tata had passed away by the time Jamshedpur came into being, but his spirit of compassion has come to represent the nature of the city. Jamsetji had witnessed the birth of a revolutionary Indian nationalism that would assist in the emergence of independent India, the spirit of which could already be felt when he died in 1904.
For information on J.N. Tata’s profile click here.
3rd March - Tata Steel Founder's Day
Founder's Day celebrations have always matched the magnitude of J.N. Tata's dream
Jamshedpur, the city that has the proud privilege of bearing the name of the Founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, never fails to celebrate this association on his birth anniversary on March 3, every year. Over the years the citizens of the city and Tata Steel have created a representative style for celebrating the Founder’s Day, one which draws all the senior management of the Group to Tata Steel’s hometown.
Conceptualised by Mr. D.M. Madan, Founder’s Day was first celebrated by Tata Steel on March 3, 1932. While the processes and business practices of the Company have been consistently changing, the Founder’s Day remains an occasion when all employees of Tata Steel, in various locations across the globe, are united in a common spirit of reverence for their legendary Founder and his principles of caring and giving that continue to be the Company’s driving force. The day is an equally special occasion for the people of Jamshedpur particularly because many of the township’s families have for generations been associated with the Tatas resulting in a strong emotional connect with the Group.
To mark the run-up to the occasion, the entire town becomes festive with many landmarks getting a fresh coat of paint and decorative lighting. A series of sports events is organised at Gopal Maidan, inviting participation from all departments to celebrate the Founder’s Day with the citizens, children and communities settled in Jamshedpur and the neighbouring areas. However, even if Founder’s Day is celebrated in different kinds of ways every year, the occasion itself enjoys a long and glorious history, richly embellished with several special moments.
Memories of Founder's Day over the years
- In 1939 when all the Tata companies across the Country were engaged in centenary celebrations of J.N. Tata, no event took place at Jamshedpur due to industrial unrest.
- In 1958, when Tata Steel entered the annals of industrial history with its Golden Jubilee, our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru graced the occasion by inaugurating the Jubilee Park, Jamshedpur’s most famous landmark. That same year, Founder’s Day celebrations witnessed a cavalcade of floats and a ground presentation of Company’s achievements as well. This tradition, along with the ceremonial lighting up of Jubilee Park, continues till date.
- In 1967 Tata Steel completed 60 years in its journey of progress and Founder’s Day celebration was a befitting tribute to J.N. Tata on the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Company.
- In 1982, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi graced the function as the Chief Guest on the Company’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Founder’s Day.
- Founder’s Day in 1989 is still considered the most tragic day in Tata Steel’s history. While the Company celebrated the 150th Birth Anniversary of J.N. Tata, an unfortunate fire resulted in many succumbing to severe burn injuries and many others were seriously wounded. A shocked town suspended these celebrations for years, with the closely-knit community unable to come to terms with so irreparable a loss.
- The advent of new millennium brought new hope. Year 2004 marked the Founder’s Death Centenary along with the birth centenaries of JRD Tata and Naval Tata. The commemoration paid tribute to these great luminaries, all pioneers in their times.
- When Tata Steel celebrated its centenary in 2007 its global footprints were already established far and wide. It was also a year of new beginning with Tata Steel having acquired Corus and thus joining the top ten steel companies of the world. Many executives from its European arm came to attend the Founder’s Day festivities which marked a new chapter in the Company’s history.
- This year on the occasion of Founder's Day, Tata Steel had initiated an online quiz on the life and achievements of J.N. Tata.