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The Romance of Tata
Steel
The 100-year record of evolution of Tata Steel has been told by R. M. Lala in the form of a gripping story, which is so thrilling, exciting and romantic that the reader is compelled to read it from cover to cover in one go. That Tata Group is not the largest profit-making enterprise in India is well known, yet its companies are among the most respected companies in the world. Visionaries throw up a big picture—imagine the future and create meaning to convert dreams into realities for sustained contribution which can make a difference. That is what the Tatas did—their passion, energy, talent and humanity put together are visible in every home, every industry in India as well as abroad. Tata, India’s largest conglomerate comprises of 96 companies in seven business sectors. It exports products and services to 140 countries. Perhaps this is the only Indian conglomerate, which plays such vital role in the life of the common Indian who works in one of the Tata companies, uses buses or cars built by Tatas, wears Tata watch, sips Tata Tea, uses Tata mobile, views DTH through Tata Sky, reads books published by Tata and his children grow up studying at Tata institutions. TISCO, now Tata Steel, was established in 1907 and set up India’s first iron and steel plant at Jamshedpur (named after Jamsetji N. Tata). The first part of the book vividly explains the conditions in 1880s, when Jamsetji asked P. N. Bose, a meticulous geologist, to explore the existence of iron and limestone at Chanda in the dense forests of Central Provinces inhabited by the wild life and the Kols and the Bhils. It is a strange co-incidence that in February, 1904, exceedingly rich and extensive deposits of iron ore were found and Jamsetji died in Germany in May, 1904. Blowing of the first blast furnace on December 2, 1911, and rolling out of the first ingot of steel on February 16, 1912, became the landmarks in the history of steel-making in India. Jamsetji had dreamt in his mind’s eyes the kind of township that would be built, where the steel city would come up. The land of Sakchi was acquired in 1907. The Viceroy Lord Chelmsford renamed Sakchi as Jamshedpur in 1919. The second part of the book is related to the vision of Sir Dorab for India’s industrial regeneration. At the height of War, when Tatas started ambitious plans of expansion, many reasons, primarily Belgium cutting down steel prices, TISCO profits came down from Rs 1.17 crore in 1921-22 to just Rs 1 lakh in 1922-23. The government was forced to intervene and for the first time in history, the British-Indian government introduced a bill to protect an Indian industry. While the bill was being debated, Sir Dorab and R. D. Tata had to pledge their personal fortune of Rs 2 crore to pay wages and to pay the debenture holders. Throughout the period of struggle and turmoil, the Tatas honoured their obligation towards their employees and shareholders. The Tatas were called a "model of good behavior" as Tata Steel began the eight-hour workday for employees in 1912, long before the US or Europe and a year after Britain accepted the 12-hour day. It introduced leave with pay in 1920, 25 years before it became law in India, it set up provident fund for employees in 1920, 32 years before it became law in India. The ability of Tatas to recognise the ability of men of great caliber in different fields was indeed unique in many ways. Tata Steel’s labour relations make a very interesting story. It was the first company to introduce joint consultative machinery and when the Janata Government tried to nationalise Tata Iron and Steel Company in 1978, it was the Tata workers who resisted the move. The struggle for survival was once again a part of destiny of TISCO after Dr Manmohan Singh announced in his famous speech of July 25, 1991, measures to liberalise Indian economy. Dr J. J. Irani’s toughest challenge was to make staff to accept voluntary separation and bring the strength of TISCO from 78,000 to 38,000 by 2006 without any coercive methods. Today, Tata Steel is ranked as the first amongst the world-class steel makers measured on different parameters. The wheel had turned a full circle after the registration of TISCO in 1907, when it purchased Anglo-Dutch Steel giant CORUS .The whole country looks up to the Tatas as India is on the threshold of playing a bigger role in world affairs. The book is a remarkable story of remarkable people who have nurtured a great dream into reality. Lala’s effort of digging deep in the archives to knit an enjoyable story is indeed laudable.
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The
history of development of new independent India and its people will
remain incomplete without giving due recognition to the contribution of
the Tatas. Though the common man may not remember the names of legendry
trio—Jamsetji N. Tata, Sir Dorab Tata and J. R. D. Tata—a grateful
nation understands their role and is happy that they were there to shape
its future. J. R. D. Tata, a visionary par excellence, was the chairman
of Tata Steel for 46 years. He put his philosophy in simple words,
"Nothing is worth attempting that will not benefit the
nation."