Latest news with #JamsetjiTata
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Jamsetji Tata's death anniversary: Here's why he built the iconic Taj Hotel - A story of sweet revenge and pride
Revenge story of Jamsetji Tata: On the occasion of Jamsetji Tata's death anniversary, the nation remembers the man who laid the foundation for India's industrial revolution. From starting India's first steel company to creating the Taj Hotel, Jamsetji Tata was more than just a businessman – he was a visionary who changed the face of India. Let's take a look at how Jamsetji Tata turned a personal insult into an iconic hotel that still stands tall as a symbol of Indian pride. Who Was Jamsetji Tata? Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, also known as JN Tata, was born on 3 March 1839 in Navsari, Gujarat. He was the only son of Nusserwanji Tata. At the young age of 14, Jamsetji began helping in his father's small trading business. He received a Western-style education and later graduated from Elphinstone College in Mumbai in 1858. After working with his father for several years, Jamsetji decided to start his own trading firm in 1868 at the age of 29. This company would later grow into the world-renowned Tata Group. Jamsetji Tata's Contributions to India Jamsetji Tata popularly known as father of Indian industry was not just a businessman – he was a true pioneer. His ideas were ahead of his time. He set up India's first steel plant, the country's first hydroelectric power station, and supported higher education by helping to establish what would later become the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. But one of his most famous legacies is the Taj Hotel in Mumbai – a grand project that was born out of pride and a desire to break racial discrimination. Why Did Jamsetji Tata Build the Taj Hotel? The story behind the Taj Hotel is as iconic as the building itself. During the British Raj, Jamsetji Tata was once denied entry into Watson's Hotel in Mumbai, a prestigious hotel that only allowed white guests. Feeling deeply insulted, not just for himself but for all Indians, he decided to build a hotel even more luxurious – one that welcomed everyone, regardless of race or status. This bold step was not just about business. It was a statement of Indian dignity and self-respect. The Birth of India's First Luxury Hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace The foundation of the grand Taj Hotel, officially called the Taj Mahal Palace, was laid in 1898. It opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1902, long before Mumbai's Gateway of India was even built. The Taj Mahal Palace was the first building in Bombay to be lit by electricity. It quickly became a symbol of Indian luxury, elegance, and hospitality. The hotel has two parts – the original Palace building and the newer Tower Wing, which was added in 1973. The unique blend of architectural styles makes it one of the most beautiful landmarks in Mumbai. Taj Hotel – A Guest House to History Since its opening, the Taj Hotel has welcomed many famous and powerful guests – from world leaders to celebrities. During World War I, it was turned into a 600-bed hospital for wounded soldiers. Even Ratanbai Petit, the wife of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, stayed at the Taj during her final days. Her sister-in-law Sylla Tata was a member of the Tata family, further connecting the hotel to the country's history. Taj Hotel and the 2008 Mumbai Attacks The Taj Hotel faced one of its darkest days during the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Despite the destruction and loss, the hotel was rebuilt and restored with even more pride and care. Today, it stands stronger than ever, a true symbol of resilience. Jamsetji Tata Death Anniversary – Remembering a Visionary As we observe the Jamsetji Tata death anniversary on 19 May, it's important to remember the values he stood for – courage, dignity, and the spirit of building something for the greater good. His dream was never just about business profits. It was always about empowering India and making it stand tall on the global stage. Taj Hotel: A Brand That Keeps Growing Today, the Taj Hotel chain is the flagship brand of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the largest hospitality group in South Asia. According to the 2024 "Hotels 50" report by Brand Finance, Taj Hotels has become the world's strongest hotel brand with a massive brand value of $545 million (Rs 4,553 crore). It's also the second-fastest-growing hotel brand in the world, after Sheraton's Four Points. Even after over a century, Jamsetji Tata's vision continues to grow stronger. Jamsetji Tata, the man behind the Taj Hotel, is remembered as one of India's greatest pioneers. On his death anniversary, we pay tribute to his incredible legacy – from steel plants and education to lighting up Indian hospitality with the Taj. The Taj Hotel is not just a building – it's a reminder of what one man's vision can do. And that's the real power of Jamsetji Tata. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sabyasachi brings quiet power to the Met Gala 2025
The inspiration behind the look? Deeper than you might think. In an Instagram post following his appearance, Sabyasachi reflected on the theme of 'Black Dandyism' and how it intersects with Indian history. He drew parallels between this bold form of self-expression and the legacy of Jamsetji Tata - the legendary founder of the Taj hotels, who built a world-class hotel in response to being denied entry to a 'Whites only' colonial club. 'Black dandyism originated as a form of self-expression to defy societal, racial and gendered norms,' Sabyasachi wrote. 'Within an Indian context, I think of Jamsetji Tata... who was denied entry to Watson's Hotel in Bombay. That experience led him to build the world renowned Taj Mahal Palace hotel as a symbol of resistance and empowerment.'
India.com
30-04-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet Indian man, who had only Rs 21000 in pocket, but started such business that overshadowed whole Pakistan, built empire of Rs 34 lakh crores, business is…
A single Indian business has overshadowed the entire economy of Pakistan. It was founded with just Rs 21,000, the Tata Group has reached from the kitchen to the skies. Its market capitalization of Rs 34 trillion ($403 billion) is now bigger than the GDP of many countries. Tata Group: From Needles To Airplanes The Tata Group makes everything like needles to airplanes, salt to cars, and roads to power plants. They started India's first private steel plant, built the first five-star hotel, established the first power plant, and introduced the first software and manufacturing companies in the country. Over the decades, Tata has gone beyond being a business and now it has become a symbol and national pride for the country. Beginning Of Tata Group The journey of this world class business began with just Rs 21,000. The man behind this group was Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. He was born into a Parsi family in Navsari, Gujarat. At the age of 14, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) for education and to understand commerce. In 1869, with a capital of Rs 21,000, he established the Alexandra Mill in Bombay which was the foundation of the Tata Group. The Tata Group was never limited to a single industry. From building aircraft to manufacturing salt, Tata entered into many industries. In 1983, India was facing an iodine deficiency crisis, Tata Chemicals introduced the country's first packaged branded iodized salt Tata Salt. Which later became a household name to this day. Ratan Tata Era Ratan Tata's leadership took the Tata Group to the next level. He started as an assistant in Tata Industries and became Chairman. He led the group from March 1991 to December 2012. He did major innovations like India's first SUV, the Tata Safari, and the world's most affordable car, the Tata Nano. Tata Group's Wealth Today, Tata Group has 29 companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Steel, Titan, Tanishq, Voltas, Tata Chemicals, Tata Communications, Trent, and Tata Elxsi. The group's total market capitalization exceeds $403 billion which is higher than Pakistan's GDP.
Mail & Guardian
27-04-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Rethink philanthropy for sustainable development
The amount in dollars of charitable donations has declined. Perhaps venture philanthropy is the answer. A neighbour was laid off work at a non-governmental organisation while the nephew's studies were cut short. The two are victims of a donor philanthropic organisation that unprecedentedly stopped sending donations to Africa. Amid international foreign aid cuts by the Trump administration, a can of worms has been opened about humanitarianism and social sector financing, sparking fresh discussions around the world. Not-for-profit organisations known for supporting social development while empowering and employing millions of people are losing funding, threatening our progress to sustainable development. Philanthropy contributes $2.3 trillion — or 3% — of the world's GDP. Africa received $3.8 billion from international donations from 2019 to 2021. But, according to Gallup data, the value of philanthropy declined from 2024 to date by 2.1%, signifying philanthropic burn-out, thus affecting numerous humanitarian activities and the not-for-profit sector. After World War I rich men, moved by conviction, convenience and coercion to donate for a common good, defined the evolution of philanthropy. In the 1900s, families and the wealthiest people set up charity trusts for the less privileged parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America and Latin America. Philanthropy for decades has supported the Church, civil society organisations, international development agencies and grassroots community groups, helping the world's social sector movements to blossom. Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, set the precedent; he was the world's biggest philanthropist of the 20th century, donating more than $100 billion mainly for healthcare and education. . Philanthropy has been the cornerstone of humanitarianism and social development in many African nations. Each time parts of Africa are hit by natural disasters, civil wars and global shocks, many governments are not in position to meet the magnitude of calamities and need aid. A backslide in philanthropic contributions means the social sector cannot longer depend on these contributions. According to Forbes, billionaires Elon Musk ($369.7 billion) and Jeff Bezos ($116 billion) declined to sign the Giving Pledge card, a promise by the world's wealthiest to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Bernad Arnault ($130 billion), Gautan Adani ($130 billion), Larry Page ($88.7 billion) and Mukesh Ambani ($88.2 billion) are not known to have participated in philanthropic activities. Surely these and other billionaires could make significant contributions towards humanitarianism and social development. Our hopes now hinge on venture philanthropy, which, according to Sopact, is 'a form of philanthropy that applies the principles of venture capital to charitable giving. It involves providing financial and non-financial support to nonprofit organisations to create long-term, sustainable change.' According to Forbes, there are 3,028 billionaires worldwide who, combined, have a net worth of $16.1 trillion. But some view philanthropy as a problem because it creates dependency. And some billionaires have a different mindset about charitable trusts and the not-for-profit sector, believing this is 'spoon-feeding' Africa's majority. Africa needs to shift from being a donor recipient to become a driver of venture philanthropy. African countries together have 22 billionaires with a total net worth of $105 billion, according to Forbes. South Africa takes the lead with seven, and Nigeria and Egypt with four each. Local philanthropy is already contributing $40 million to Africa, signifying that the continent can leverage her billionaires into venture philanthropists. For example, Aliko Dangote ($23.9 billion) donates $100 million for education, joining Patrice Motsepe, Yassen Mansour and Mohammed Dewji in the world of philanthropy and social investments. African governments can make better policies and tax incentives to encourage the generous spirit of philanthropy; Robert Kigongo is a sustainable development analyst. X: @kigongokr7
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IHCL ACHIEVES MILESTONE OF 10 MILLION LOYALTY MEMBERS
MUMBAI, India, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, today announced that its loyalty program, Taj InnerCircle, part of Tata Neu's loyalty program, 'NeuPass,' has reached a milestone of 10 million members. Mr. Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, IHCL, said, "The rapid growth of IHCL loyalty member base with NeuPass is a testament to the power of the One Tata ecosystem. Presently, loyalty driven revenue comprises over 40% of IHCL's total enterprise revenue. We remain committed to enhancing lifetime customer value and using technology to enrich guest experiences. The program has significantly broadened IHCL's digital footprint across our diverse portfolio, spanning mid-scale to luxury." He added, "The loyalty program is an enabler in IHCL's transformative journey, marked by a 5X increase in our member base, culminating in this 10-million-member milestone. Tata Neu's diverse ecosystem across travel, hospitality, shopping, financial services, and more, has equipped IHCL with a robust competitive advantage in growing and retaining our expanding member base." Tata Neu's growing brand visibility and influence significantly accelerate IHCL's member base. The combination of compelling Loyalty offerings, enhanced rewards and benefits, a seamless booking journey, and exclusive privileges has significantly strengthened customer loyalty and increased engagement. About The Indian Hotels Company Limited The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj – the iconic brand for the most discerning travellers and ranked as World's Strongest Hotel Brand 2024 and India's Strongest Brand 2024 as per Brand Finance; SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels; Tree of Life, private escapes in tranquil settings; Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels; Gateway, full-service hotels designed to be your gateway to exceptional destinations and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment. Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel - The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 368 hotels including 128 under development globally across 4 continents, 14 countries and in over 150+ locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India's largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is listed on the BSE and NSE. Please visit: IHCL; Taj; SeleQtions; Tree of Life; Vivanta; Gateway; Ginger For more information, please contact: Photo: View original content:
