The Stepping Stone of The Big Empire by SRI GOPALA SUBRAMANIAN (RYLA 41.0)

Introduction

Here we are going to see about journey about Tata Steel but before that let’s know about Jamshedji Tata. Jamshedji Tata was born in a family of Parsi Zoroastrian priests. He broke his family’s priestly tradition to become the first member of the family to start a business. He started an export trading firm in Mumbai. Then he bought a bankrupt oil mill and converted it into cotton mill knowing the boom of the cotton industry and had a great profit.

He had four goals in his life as follows: Setting up an Iron and steel company, A world Class Learning Institution, A Unique Hotel, A Hydroelectric plant.

Now we are going to see about Tata Steel

The Beginning

Jamshedji Tata used to travel around the world, during one of the lectures by Thomas Carlyle on a trip to Manchester, He had set his heart on building a Steel plant of world class. Then the process began on where to build, how to build, when to build. Jamshedji shook hands with Charles Perin, a geologist and metallurgist. With the help of Perin Jamshedji found a village named Sakchi having 3 billion tons of ore. Later Sakchi was renamed as Jamshedpur in the honor of its founder Jamshedji Tata.  That’s how the India’s first steel plant was formed. Tata Iron and Steel Company known as TISCO was founded by Jamshedji Tata and established by Dorabji Tata in 1907. The first steel ingot was manufactured in 1912. During the first world war, the company had a great and rapid progress in short span of time. By 1939, it operated the largest steel plant in the British Empire.

Nationalization Attempts

There have been two attempts to nationalize Tata Steel, one in 1971 and another in 1979 but both were unsuccessful. Union protests played a huge role in prevention of such nationalization efforts. Usually, workers and union organizations would welcome such moves as they would get benefits if the company gets nationalized. Here we can realize how Tata’s were taking care of the welfare of the Laborers.

They introduced eight-hour workdays since 1912, free medical care since 1915, School facilities for the children of the employees since 1917, paid time off since 1920, the formation of provident fund and accidental compensation in 1920 and retiring gratuity since 1937. These things show that how a big group like Tata treat their labors and value their work and life.

Expansions

Tata Steel mad many acquisitions throughout their journey and expanded their kingdom. Listing some major acquisition here:

• NatSteel in 2004

• Millennium Steel in 2005

• Corus in 2006

• Tayo Rolls in 2008

• Steel Engineering and Vinausteel in 2007

• Bhushan Steel in 2018

• Now, Tata Steel is the 10th Largest Steel company in the world.

Conclusion

Here I would conclude by stating a quote on how Jamshedji planned to build the city, “Be sure to lay wide streets planted with shady trees, every other of a quick growing variety. Be sure that there is a plenty of space for lawns and gardens; reserve large areas for football, hockey and parks; earmark areas for Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and Christian churches”

If you have plans to visit Jamshedpur someday, make it as March 3 as they celebrate Founder’s Day, birthday of Jamshedji Tata. The city will be colorful and you will have a great time. Cheers