Dear Swami Vivekananda (Part 2)

The story so far (Part 1) : In 1893, two great sons of India, Swami Vivekananda and Jamsetji Tata, met on board the ship SS Empress of India, on their voyage from Japan to North America. While we do not have any record of their conversations, it is likely that they spoke to each other about many matters relating to the progress of their beloved nation. Five years later, Jamsetji Tata wrote to Swami Vivekananda, recalling their conversations as fellow travelers on the ship. In this letter, Jamsetji sought Swamiji’s support for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science, the first of its kind in India. What happened next? Read on.

Jamsetji Tata’s letter to Swami Vivekananda reflected his passion for his ambitious scheme, of establishing an Institute of Science for India. He had great belief in his countrymen, and believed that with the right higher education, Indians would achieve great heights of success in the areas of science and technology, which were so critical to the country’s progress. 

But this would require a University that focused on scientific education, which could provide large numbers of Indian students an opportunity of completing their higher studies within the country. In September 1898, two months before he wrote his letter to Swamiji, Jamsetji Tata made public his plans for this Institute. He also committed an endowment of Rs. 30 lakhs towards this project. In 1898, this was a fabulous sum of money. A gift of this nature had previously been unheard of.

This generosity brought forth great praise from his countrymen. A prominent Indian of that time, writing in the Hindu newspaper, said – “Mother Bharati has long been crying for a man among her children, and in Mr. Tata she has found the son of her heart.” Yet it was clear that, despite Mr. Tata’s generous offer, the establishment of a world-class Institute of Science would require far greater financial support. Mr. Tata needed to raise funds, urgently. And the British, who ruled India, were not easily forthcoming. Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, acknowledged Mr. Tata’s generosity and public spirit, but also, in his response, put forward many questions and expressed some misgivings. The question ahead of the nation was - would this great project now be stalled? Would Indians get the opportunity they deserved, for higher education in science?

In the meanwhile, Swami Vivekananda had returned to India, after a triumphal voyage to the United States of America. In 1893, after his voyage by ship, he had reached Chicago and famously addressed the Parliament of Religions there. “Sisters and brothers of America”, he had begun his stirring speech, to more than two minutes of standing applause. With great zeal, he had put forward to Americans the essence of Hinduism, and his country’s ancient heritage and rich culture. He had completed very successful lecture tours in the USA, UK and Europe, and had made a huge impression everywhere. In 1897, he had returned to India, and had founded the Ramakrishna Mission in Kolkatta.

Swami Vivekananda had sparked off great interest and pride across the western world, in India’s spiritual heritage. At the same time, he knew that promoting science and industrialization was essential for economic progress, and for upliftment of the nation. He was terribly upset by the economic misery of his countrymen, and had spoken of the need “to organise monks for industrial purposes, that they might give the people the benefit of this industrial education, and thus elevate them and improve their condition.”    

Therefore, Jamsetji Tata’s letter and scheme of establishing an Institute of Science must have resonated greatly with Swami Vivekananda. Jamsetji had requested Swamiji for a pamphlet supporting and evangelizing scientific education, and had offered to defray all expenses of publication of the same. We do not know whether a pamphlet was actually printed. But in April 1899, Prabuddha Bharata, the monthly journal of the Ramakrishna Order, which had been started by Swami Vivekananda, published a wonderfully detailed page of observations, which were virtually a reply to Jamsetji Tata’s appeal. It would appear that these observations were written either by Swamiji himself, or by someone who had been advised by him.

Here are some extracts from the observations published in Prabuddha Bharata. They reflect Swami Vivekananda’s resounding support to Jamsetji Tata’s appeal, and there is an exhortation to the entire nation to back this project.

“We are not aware if any project at once so opportune and so far-reaching in its beneficial effects was ever mooted in India, as that of the post-graduate research University of Mr. Tata. The scheme grasps the vital point of weakness in our national well-being with a clearness of vision and tightness of grip, the masterliness of which is only equaled by the munificence of the gift which it is ushered to the public.”

“Mr. Tata’s scheme paves the path for placing into the hands of Indians this knowledge of nature…”

“By some the scheme is regarded as chimerical, because of the immense amount of money required for it, to wit about Rs. 74 lakhs. The best reply to this fear is : If one man – and he not the richest in the land – could find 30 lakhs, could not the whole country find the rest ? It is ridiculous to think otherwise, when the interest sought to be served is of the paramount importance.”

“We repeat : No idea more potent for good to the whole nation has seen the light of day in modern India. Let the whole nation, therefore, forgetful of class or sect interests, join in making it a success.”

Here is a unique example of a great Indian spiritual master lending his unstinted support to an ambitious project being put forward by an Indian Industrialist. What a beautiful example of two fellow travelers, who once voyaged by the same ship, now walking the same path, for the progress of their beloved nation !

Eventually, adequate funding was obtained, and the Indian Institute of Science took birth in Bangalore in 1911. It is today the nation’s pre-eminent University of Science, and has built a formidable reputation worldwide. In Bangalore, many locals still fondly refer to it as the Tata Institute.

Sadly, neither Swami Vivekananda nor Jamsetji Tata lived to see the birth of this Institute. Swamiji attained Samadhi in 1902. Jamsetji Tata passed away in 1904. But there is no doubt that their blessings and presence permeate every corridor, lecture hall and laboratory of this famous Institution. Both these great men lived, toiled and died, for the love of their nation, for the India of their dreams. May their thoughts and deeds inspire us in our own lives.