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SWAMI VIVEKANANDA INSPIRES JAMSETJI TATA
The year was 1893. On May 31, aboard a steamer that sailed from Yokohama to Vancouver, two great Indians met for the first time. One was an industrialist who would go on to become one of India’s greatest visionaries, Jamsetji Tata.
The year was 1893. On May 31, aboard a steamer that sailed from Yokohama to Vancouver, two great Indians met for the first time. One was an industrialist who would go on to become one of India’s greatest visionaries, Jamsetji Tata.
The other was a monk who would take India’s spiritual tradition to the West more effectively than ever before, Swami Vivekananda. In 1893, Jamsetji was on his way to an industrial exposition in Chicago. A frequent visitor to Japan , he was staying at the same hotel into which
Vivekananda would check in a few days later. Soon after, on a sunny afternoon in May, the illustrious duo embarked on a voyage from the Japanese port of Yokohama to the Canadian port of Vancouver. While the two had met earlier, Jamsteji and Vivekananda had not had the time to
engage in lengthy conversations. Vivekananda narrated to Jamsetji the experiences he had gained during his travels throughout the length and breadth of India. They also discussed Japan’s phenomenal progress in technology and Jamsetjis plan of laying the foundations of the steel
industry to India. The founder of one of India’s largest conglomerates, Jamsetji also explained that he was in search of equipment and technology that would help make India a strong industrial nation.
Impressed by Vivekananda’s views on science and deep-rooted patriotism,
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,
"How wonderful it would be if we could combine the scientific and technological achievements of the West with the asceticism and humanism of India!”
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.
But it was promptly suppressed by the then-Viceroy, Lord Curzon.
However Jamsetji persevered and continued to work on these plans, convinced that the future progress of the country depended crucially on research in science and envisaged an institution that would encourage the
However Jamsetji persevered and continued to work on these plans, convinced that the future progress of the country depended crucially on research in science and envisaged an institution that would encourage the
same.
In 1898, he was on the lookout for a suitable place for such an institution when he met and discussed his idea with Sheshadri Iyer, the Diwan of Mysore. The two of them convinced the then-ruler of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, to donate roughly 372 acres of free land in
In 1898, he was on the lookout for a suitable place for such an institution when he met and discussed his idea with Sheshadri Iyer, the Diwan of Mysore. The two of them convinced the then-ruler of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, to donate roughly 372 acres of free land in
the heart of Bangalore and provide other necessary facilities.
Swami Vivekananda died in July 1902 and Jamsetji died two years later, unaware that their shared vision would be realised five years later.
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.
