Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and its Philanthropic Institutions

Inaugurated by Dr. J.J. Bhabha, Vice Chairman and Managing Trustee, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust at Tata Central Archives, Pune on April 24, 2002, the exhibition on "Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and its Philanthropic Institutions" provided an insight into the social and business aspects of the Tata group.

Sir Dorabji Tata, the elder son of Jamsetji Tata – Founder of the House of Tata, believed like his father that wealth must be put to constructive use. Less than a year after his wife died in 1931, he put all his wealth down to the last pearl-studded tie-pin, into a trust which was to be used "without any distinction of place, nationality or creed", for the advancement of learning and research, the relief of distress, and other charitable purposes. He passed away three months later. This was the beginning of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

Between 1936 and 2002 the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust established seven pioneering institutions: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (1936); Tata Memorial Hospital (1941); The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1945); The National Centre for the Performing Arts (1966); The National Institute of Advanced Studies (1988); The J. R. D. Tata Centre for Ecotechnology (1998); and The Sir Dorabji Tata Centre for Research in Tropical Diseases (2000).

From each of these institutions a torrent of ideas, of learning, of research, has cascaded down the years and has found expression in the training of social scientists, cancer specialists, and distinguished scientists. Discoveries, investigations, publications, research papers, are just a fraction of the fall-out of the Trust's activities. What has flowed from this foundation is the new life for India's millions and an extension of the frontiers of her knowledge for the benefit of future generations.

The exhibition showcased photographs, letters, memorabilia and other relevant documents focussing on the Trust's contribution to Indian society.

Dr. J.J. Bhabha, Vice Chairman and Managing Trustee, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, who inaugurated the Exhibition on Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and its Philanthropic Institutions, viewing the introductory panel

While some visitors were engrossed in viewing the panels, other were reading the inspirational quotes on the vertical stands

Visitors going around the Exhibition

Visitors viewing the panel on the various institutions funded by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust

Visitors keenly viewing the display in the large showcases

Students from various schools visited the Exhibition