What Connects #SwamiVivekananda and #JRDTata?

A Sea Voyage That Changed India!

While the two had met earlier, Jamsteji and Vivekananda had not had the time to engage in lengthy conversations. They did now and when they met again on the promenade of the ship, they got talking

He narrated to JRD the experiences he had gained during his travels throughout the length & breadth of India as a wandering monk in the quest of truth.

He talked about the relentless oppression and repression of his fellow Indians he had seen at the hands of colonials.

Furthermore, he spoke about how, during his visit to in Canton (Guangzhou) in China, he had come across many Sanskrit and Bengali manuscripts in Buddhist monasteries.

@IndiaArtHistory @NiveditaNarayan

They also discussed Japan’s phenomenal progress in technology and Jamsetji’s plan of laying the foundations of the steel industry to India.

He also explained that he was in search of equipment and technology that would help make India a strong industrial nation.

@NAN_DINI_

Impressed by Vivekananda’s views on science and deep-rooted patriotism, Jamsetji requested his guidance in his campaign in establishing a research Institute in India. The visionary monk smiled, gave his blessings and remarked,

This IISC Bangalore was founded.
@ARanganathan72

Jamsetji and Vivekananda never met after that journey. But these words struck a chord in the industrialist’s heart and five years later, he wrote a letter to Vivekananda. Here is what it said:

Busy setting up the Ramakrishna Mission, Vivekananda was unable accept the offer but he promptly sent his disciple, Sister Nivedita to meet met Jamsetji. Working together, they formulated a detailed plan for the research institute.

Swami Vivekananda died in July 1902 and Jamsetji died two years later, unaware that their shared vision would be realised five years later. The Tata Institute of Science was born in 1909 and renamed the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in 1911.