The Tata Group needs no introduction. In the news for almost two centuries, the Tata Group has been a major contributor to India’s progress.

What started off as Jamsethji Tata's private trading firm in 1868 with a trading capital of Rs 21,000 has today grown to become a force to reckon with. Taking his fascination for cotton forward in 1877 Jamsethji launched the famous Empress Mill in Nagpur and continued to create history to set the foundation for technical education and philanthropy. However it was in 1900 when Jamsetji, at the age of sixty, finally got the approval for building a steel plant.

His vision was carried forward by Sir Dorabji Tata and later by Sir Ratan Tata who continued to make headlines for all the correct reasons. Carrying forward the legacy, Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata or JRD, as he was fondly referred to, at the age of 34 took over as chairman to guide the destiny of India's largest business house for well over half a century. Today under the able aegis of Ratan Tata the group has recreated history. Quiz Jamshed Irani, Director, Tata Sons Ltd. on the philanthropic vision that guided the group's success and he explains matter of factly, "I think it's a mistake to call the group only a philanthropic group. You can only be philanthropic or give money after you have generated some wealth. So as far as the Tata Group is concerned it did not start becoming a philanthropic group unless it is also first a wealth-generating group. Of course there is a way of generating wealth too. Even in a place like Bihar we have maintained our principles and we have prospered. You can play the game of business according to the rules even if your competitors do not do so. 

Most of our wealth has gone into trusts, which support causes that we cherish like hospitals, education institutions, performing arts and various other causes like education for Indians going abroad and so on. But all that is supported by wealth that is generated from other Tata companies. So what has come from the people has gone back to the people, hopefully multiplied. That is the Tata philosophy." Wealth-generating organisation they sure are, which they have attained by following the founder Jamshethji Tata's vision for almost a century after he passed away.

"I think his vision was to see India economically free before it attained political freedom. He started these industries with the sole intention to get India on its feet economically. Starting a steel plant in a hostile environment showed that he really had the interest of the country on his mind," elaborates Irani. For instance the policy of gathering capital from the public was implemented in 1907 when the Tata Iron and Steel Company was to come into existence and which is still being practised with as much fervour. 

As he rightly points out the group has a presence in virtually every sector from steel to automobiles to textiles to labour welfare laws! While the success of most of these companies is highly spoken about what is rarely mentioned is the group's pioneering work in the field of labour laws. "We have many firsts to our credit. For instance in 1912 we introduced the eight-hour working rule that was recognised by the law in 1948 under the Factories Act. From free medical aid to workers' provident fund to profit sharing we brought in quite a few firsts.

The last one being the Ex-Gratia Payment that we introduced in 1979 that has yet not been recognised as a law in India," Irani points out. The group that has recreated history by rolling out the Tata Indica on the British tarmac, has 80 companies in seven sectors. It is strategically focusing to move from generic-driven businesses to brand-driven ones. While the chemicals, energy, and engineering products are product-driven; engineering services, automotive, communications and IT, services and consumer goods are brand-driven.

Of late the group has been in the news when the Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle launched its heavy duty Novus model in the Korean market. It suffices to say that by helping establish temples of healing, learning and research in the country, the Tata Group has contributed enormously to enhancing India's intellectual and social capital.