By Lakshmi Mittal
As Lakshmi Mittal says ……… we have more to be proud off than what the Infosys and Wipro’s of India provide ………..
I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is fast disappearing despite all the wolf-cries of people like Narayanamurthy and his ilk.
It is one thing to talk and quite another to do and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the legacy of perhaps India’s finest industrialist J.N. Tata.
Something that some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tata’s but in hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tata’s is unquestionably Ratan.
I was amazed to see the extent of corporate philanthropy and this is no exaggeration.
For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility and talks about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must.
Go there and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going; see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated from the mess in the rest of the country.This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata
Steel, but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do have companies in India which look at workers as human beings and who do not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I asked Mr. Muthurman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet about all they had done and all he could offer in return was a smile wrapped in humility, which said it all.
They have done so much more since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has obviously got busier but the values thankfully haven’t changed. The food is still as amazing as it always was and I gorged, as I would normally do. I visited the plant and the last time I did that was with Russi Mody. But the plant this time was gleaming and far from what it used to be. Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management.
You could have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled!There was no belching smoke, no tired faces and so many more women
workers, even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality and not the kind that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was a spring in the air which came from a certain calmness which has always been the hallmark of Jamshedpur and something I savoured for a full two days in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the lack luster Fashion Week was.
Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice that is today a robust company and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about who becomes a millionaire and who doesn’t’. It is about getting the job done with dignity and respect keeping the age-old values intact and this is what I learnt.
I jokingly asked someone as to whether they ever thought of joining an Infosys or a Wipro and pat came the reply: “We are not interested in becomingcrorepatis but in making others crorepatis.” Which is exactly what the Tata’s have done for years in and around Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India, Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute to industrial India, then what is?
Today, Indian needs several Jamshedpur’s but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due, its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicises to the Infosys and the Wipro’s of the world. Modern India is being built in Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core convictions and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.
Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls who these corrupt and evil politicians only talk about but do nothing for) are beingeducated through a residential program over nine months. I went to visit them and I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt : Bengali. Eight weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your eyes. It did to mine. One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state archery competition. They have their own women’s football team and what’s more they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden.
This was possible because I guess people like Ratan Tata and Muthurman haven’t sold their souls to some business management drivel, which tells us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area talks about the social respect that the Tata’s have earned.
The Tata’s do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is to share the larger picture that we so often miss in thehaze of the slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submissions to those who use phrases such as “feel-good” and “India Shining” must first visit Jamshedpur to understand what it all means.
See Tata Steel in action to know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India needs to do. Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs.
This is where the Advani’s and Vajpayee’s need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai Babas and the Hugging saints that they are so busy with. India is changing inspite of them and they need to realise that. I couldn’t have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is an eye-opener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages, they willreturn with knowledge that will truly be life-altering.
Corporate India can do it but most of the time is willing to shy away. For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advice is visit Tata Steel, spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation’s transformation. That is true service.
Tata Steel celebrated 100 years of existence in 2007. It won’t be just a milestone in this company’s history. It will be a milestone, to my mind of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group that has people who are committed to nation building than just building influence and power.
JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamshedji Nusserwanji. These people today have literally climbed every last blue mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion.
This Cup should be very intense! It comes down to 50/50 chance in my opinion but good luck to both soccer teams! I’ll be watching the entire match!
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
I am so proud. If only Mr.Tata could run Air India, our national carrier, Mr. J R D Tata would be smiling always.
Very good article, Very happy & Proud to be a resident of Jamshedpur & an employee of TATA GROUP ( TATA MOTORS LTD )
Excellent article. Feels so proud to be from JSR.
jamshedpur really rocks……. its in a class apart from rest of the cities….its great to be the part of such city…..
gr8 article hats off to TATA…..
Proud to be from Jamshedpur. I am Sure that the legacy will continue even after Ratan Tataji steps down from his role. Longing to work with Tata Group.
Sooooo proud to be from Jamshedpur..
Hats off to Tatas for creating city like Jamshedpur which is just one of its kind in entire country perhaps !
Sir,
You couldnt have described our city better! its insane to be away. Jamshedpur has crossed all milestones and stayed the way it had to ignoring the hastles of the rest of the world…Pride stands with us….
nothing like jsr we r proud of it..
Lakshmi Mittal did not write this article. It was written by Suhel Seth, the ad man, for The Times of India sometime around 2004. That shouldn’t be disappointing. It is still a genuine article by another prominent Indian.
Great article by Mr. Mittal. Proud to be born in a place like Jamshedpur.
Now this is the reason we love our Jamshedpur and cant live any where else…and needless to say that I AM PROUD TO BE FROM JAMSHEDPUR
one has to be in jamshedpur to know what it really is….but for people who have not been there,this article could not be more beautifully put. I certainly am proud to call JAMSHEDPUR my hometown
The Tata Group –
Big at work, humble at show
Indian at heart, God at soul.
wonderful article..!!!! really proud to b from jsr!!!
jsr rocks!!!!
wonderful article..!!!! jsr rocks!!!!
proud to b frm JSR
Really truely madly…………I will proud…….
I am proud of Jamshedpur, all these days during my 4 years BE and 1 year in a MNC, i have missed it a lot, believe me…nothing is like JSR…. you go anywhere…all the metro cities, u’ll realize how happy people are in Jsr….. and all the people in my circle who are from Jsr are willing to settle in Jamshedpur, and the reason…. they earn lacs and millions here but they cant find peace and happiness that they received in Jsr…
This is a very nice article……
Thanks to Tatas
Proud of Jamshedpur… 🙂
This is an article which we need to feel rather than read…visit JAMSHEDPUR and know JAMSHEDPUR…One chance and i am sure people from Jamshedpur and away would love to come back to Jamshedpur like ME. God Bless all.
I am so delighted that I can not express. Mr. Mittal has rightly described TATAs in the article. I am proud of being with Tata Steel for 2nd generation. I would be hoping to put my 3rd generation also with Tata Steel, if luck will favour us. Good day!
Its very nice to read this…..Hats off to this TATA foundation….
Really appreciable job……..I was floored much before when i read about what TATA’s did for attacks at taj hotels….the casualties n the entire scenario was well taken care off by ratan tata in such a way that i cant xplain….and now…nothing to say….JUST A SALUTE TO THEM…SIR RATAN TATA…..!!!!
Jamshedpur (Mini Mumbai) Tujhe Salam.
its really an honour 2 read a testimonial on my hometown frm none oda than mr lakshmi narayan mittal!! jamshedpur truly is a global village vich th UN has testified so aptly. hats off 2 mr. ratan tata, tata steel n 2 jamshedpur. wish i get an oppurtunity 2 join this prestigious industry n tek my country forward
HI,
Yes this is the thing we should emphasis, not only we have to follow Live & Let Live, but also, try to follow, share the happiness & make yourself proud.
Jai Hind
Piyush Gupta
wants toread
Me – proud to be from Jamshedpur – try to make the world liveable for some more people.
Thank you Mr. Mittal for your encouraging words.
proud to belong from Jamshedpur
Ratan Tata has shown the world that business can be done by not just doing business…..his personality reflects the honesty and commitment towards the nation and so in his work also……he is a true citizen…hats off to him…
Lovely piece of writing… reading this I have grown fonder of my hometown :)…
nice to see you
I’m so proud to be from Jamshedpur… 🙂
Thank you Mr. Mittal for a wonderful article. Jamshedpur is really a great place to live in.. Hats off to the Tata Group for the effort it has put in over the yeats to make Jamshedpur what it is today. Last I checked Jamshedpur is the only place in India which doesn’t has municipality. I guess this speaks for itself, on the impact Tata’s have had on this lovely plateau town.
Well while article might be totally right about Tatas we cannot ignore Infosys and Wipro. These companies have not only created direct employment but also indirect employment (Security, Drivers, house keep, catering etc etc) and are creating next gen companies which will create more jobs both direct and indirect. There is a multiplier effect growth and economic value creation. I wonder Jamshedpur has such an effect?
Thanx for the very true appreciation of Jamshedpur……………really proud to be a resident of such a beautiful place…………. no other city can match jsr in terms of the living environment it provides ……… all bcoz of the Tatas……thanx to them.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
I m proud 2 b an resident of jamshedpur. A city which has and which will always followed and served humanity.
And it is my life time dream to work with such a group.
I FEEL SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL PLACE…HATS OFF TO THE TATA GROUP 🙂
i really admire it …its great ……..jai hind
I am extremely touched by the selection of words in the article. For those who do not dwell from Jsr, it is a must see & see what is peace & tranquility. Unfortunately there are no jobs apart for people who are not doctors or engineers, for which people like us have to leave the beautiful place in search of that elusive bread. Proud to be a Jamshedpuri. And guess what met Mr. Ratan Tata in person on the 2nd week of Nov 2010, got goose bumps when i was shaking his hands….
Proud to be born in this great city. Every word of this article holds nothing but truth only.
hi, new to the site, thanks.
…first of all …wow..!!..a brilliant article…i must say..writer is prodigious..:)..and what to say about jamshedpur ..we all know..and TATA…the true corporate giant..making india shines in a better way…!!..hats off to tata kingdom..!!
tata ka loha aur bata ka joota to baaton me tha ,
jsr se hoon, yahi mera badkismat dil ka kushkismat tha.
Proud to be born in this great city because of TATA’S Family, who built an amazing town & i have never seen such as a wounderful town in india, hence i appreciate to TATA’S Group.
Its really well explained in this article and that is the reason why TATA’s are the most valuable and reputed company of india.
And Jamshedpur is the ultimate example of CSR.
Its really a proud feeling to be a part of this wonderfull organisation.
Thanks mittal sir after this wonderfull article jamshedpur will come in notice.