How Ratan Tata saved TISS when it fell on bad days

Not too long before his demise on Wednesday evening, industry legend Ratan Tata had emerged as the saviour of the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences legacy by extending generous grants to the institute which laid off 115 of its staff, teaching and non-teaching both.

TISS recalled the termination orders after the Tata Education Trust led by Ratan Tata committed itself to releasing funds for the salaries of the 55 faculty and 60 non-teaching staff.

For Ratan Tata, the act went beyond money. It was about saving a previous family and national legacy.

It was Ratan Tata’s ancestor Dorabji Tata who was instrumental in launching social work education in India in 1934.

It was in this year that The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust established the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work with 20 students.

The Child Guidance Clinic, the first Field Action Project of the school, was launched in 1937. Today, it goes by the name Muskaan: Centre for Child and Adolescent Guidance Institute.

Year 1944 saw The Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work renamed as the ‘Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ (TISS) as we know it today.

To date TISS is most famous for its aid in the aftermath of India’s Partition when it sent a relief team of students and faculty to work in refugee camps.

This tradition of responding to human needs and natural disasters by sending relief teams continues even today.

So when Ratan Tata stepped in to save TISS staffers in July 2024 he was actually saving a precious heritage of social work education in India.

This even though the regulations of UGC which governed TISS, a deemed to be university, changed in 2022 in a way that a nominee from the Sir Ratan Tata Trust no longer chaired TISS.

In 2022 once the regulations changed TISS governing board was replaced by TISS Society which is now chaired by the Union Education Minister and has one nominated representative from the Ratan Tata Trust.

In its tributes to Ratan Tata, TISS today said, “The Tata Institute of Social Sciences mourns the passing away of Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, entrepreneur par excellence, visionary corporate leader and philanthropist. Mr. Tata’s unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, social development, and nation-building is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students alike. He exemplified humility, compassion, and excellence in all his endeavours, consistently prioritising the welfare of communities over profits.”

TISS said Tata’s immense contribution to the nation and humanity will forever be remembered.

In recognition of his distinguished business, organisational and philanthropic leadership, TISS conferred Mr. Ratan Tata with the Doctor of Literature, honoris causa, in 2006.

The statement recalled the Tata legacy saying, “TISS has had the distinct honour of being associated with the Tata legacy. This relationship has stood as a testament to the shared values of social equity, education, and empowerment. Mr. Tata’s support for educational and philanthropic initiatives, including the Institute, has left an indelible impact on countless lives, for which we are deeply grateful.”