Bhubaneswar, Aug 26, 2025- History often highlights well-known public figures; the dedicated efforts of behind-the-scenes workers frequently go unnoticed. A notable example is Sir Dorabji Tata, a visionary who tirelessly and passionately pursued his father’s dream of a vibrant and prosperous India.
Sir Dorabji was both a businessman and a devoted patriot. He was committed to establishing a self-sufficient India. He played a pivotal role in developing the country’s first steel plant in the challenging terrain of Chhota Nagpur, initiating India’s industrial growth.
The foundation of the steel plant that stands tallest today was laid with a letter from P N Bose, a geologist working for the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, Odisha. His most notable achievement was discovering iron ore deposits in the Gorumahisani hills of Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Following this discovery, P N Bose wrote a letter to J N Tata, the founder of the Tata Group and father of Dorabji, on February 24, 1904.
Fulfilling his father’s wishes, Sir Dorabji Tata tirelessly prospected for months on end across the uncharted jungles of Odisha and the Central Provinces, only to find the perfect place—a confluence of two rivers, Swarnarekha and Kharkai. It was on this piece of earth that he sowed the seeds of a steel plant.
Subsequently, the King of Mayurbhanj, Sriram Chandra Bhanjdeo, entered into an agreement with the Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (now Tata Steel) and granted a lease for the Gorumahisani iron ore mine, a village currently located in the Rairangpur tehsil of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. This led to the establishment of the steel plant, and the rest is history. Sir Dorabji Tata did not merely realise his father’s vision for the nation; he began forging a glorious path for the Indian industry.
His leadership was vital in establishing the Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel). The Company thrived greatly under his exceptional vision, determination, and guidance. His focus went beyond steel and power, as a compassionate leader with a strong sense of social responsibility. He fervently supported the welfare of his workers, upholding his father’s ideals of fair treatment and cultivating a culture of respect and understanding.
During the 1920 labour strike, he went to Jamshedpur, listened to workers’ grievances, and played a key role in peacefully resolving the conflict. His dedication to the Company’s success was so profound that he and Lady Meherbai committed their personal wealth, including her Jubilee Diamond, to help the Company during tough times.
Beyond Tata Steel, Additionally, he oversaw the construction of hydroelectric power stations in the rugged Western Ghats, which provided electricity and advanced the nation.
Sir Dorabji’s influence extended across the Tata group, transforming it from a small enterprise into the largest business house in India. He was knighted in 1910 for his immense contributions to the nation’s industrial development.
Sir Dorabji was deeply dedicated to utilising India’s natural resources. He embraced his father’s vision of harnessing the water of the Western Ghats for hydroelectric power and is recognised for founding Tata Power in 1911. This initiative transformed India’s energy sector and established the foundation for a future powered by clean energy.
He also devoted his passion to the educational sector and played an instrumental role by assisting his father, Jamshedji Tata, in establishing the Indian Institute of Science in 1909. This pioneering institution has become a hub of scientific advancement and innovation, significantly contributing to India’s progress in science.
Sir Dorabji believed in giving back to society, which led to the establishment of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, with a vision to utilise wealth for societal improvement, inspired by his father’s philanthropic legacy. The Trust has been crucial in founding pioneering institutions such as the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tata Memorial Centre, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and more. These institutions continue to provide essential services, impacting many lives and contributing to a brighter future.
Sports have long been a central part of the Tata’s nation-building philosophy. During the creation of Steel Works in Jamshedpur, then known as Sakchi, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata instructed his son Dorab to “reserve large areas for football, hockey, and parks.” Building on his father’s guidance, Sir Dorabji Tata fostered a tradition of integrating sports into the Company’s ethos.
Motivated by a desire to see an Indian team compete in the Olympics, and since there was no official Indian Olympic organisation at the time, Sir Dorabji financed India’s first Olympic team for the 1920 Antwerp Games and helped establish a selection committee. In 1924, he secured India’s place at the Paris Olympics and was appointed to the prestigious International Olympic Committee. To this day, Tata Steel is committed to promoting sports in India and has always been at the forefront of nurturing and supporting sporting talent.
On the anniversary of his 166th birthday, we remember Sir Dorabji Tata not only as a businessman but also as a true nation-builder and pioneer who laid the groundwork for a brighter future for India. His story reminds us that true heroes often work quietly behind the scenes, endeavouring to build a better tomorrow for all।
