Jamshedpur, Aug 7: The ties that Tatas shares with Mahatma Gandhi goes back to 1909 when Sir Ratan Tata, younger son of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, sent a letter and a cheque of Rs. 25,000 to assist Mahatma Gandhi’s work in South Africa.
The Mahatma had been keen to visit the steel city himself, and now he was responding to a special invitation from Dinabandhu C.F. Andrews, who was at that time a labour leader in Jamshedpur. He had sought Gandhiji’s guidance to resolve some labour issues.
Thereafter, Mahatma Gandhi visited Jamshedpur for the first time on August 8, 1925 with a twin objective – resolving labour conflict and visiting India’s first planned Industrial Township. During his stay, he visited several places in the city and the steel plant. He addressed the workers at TISCO Institute, now known as the United Club.
During his visit, he mentioned, “Tatas represent the spirit of adventure”. He reiterated Tatas’ commitment to the nation and its people.
He also visited the township, and wrote later in his journal – “This town owes a debt of gratitude to the courage of Jamsetji Tata.” But he went on to say – “However, what can one see of such a large factory in two days ?”
Mahatma Gandhi visited Jamshedpur two more times, in 1934 and 1941. On May 4, 1934, he made a brief visit to the steel city during his tour around the country in connection with the Harijan Movement.
Tata Steel remembers Mahatma Gandhi on his 152nd Birth Anniversary.
