Inspiring Tales of the Nation’s Greatest Entrepreneurs

Last Tuesday, our Club was treated to an exclusive screening of Keepers of the Flame, a one-hour documentary film on the life and times of great Tata stalwarts, who were also national figures in India: Jamsetji, Sir Dorab, Sir Ratan, JRD and Naval Tata.

The film’s producer and director, Zafar Hai, was personally present for the screening. Mr Hai has won many international awards for his documentary films, and has directed ‘ The Perfect Murder’, a feature film for Merchant Ivory Productions.

The film spans a period from the beginning of the Victorian era to the end of the 20th century, and encompasses a d v e n t u r e , conflict and achievements of the Tata stalwarts. The film interlaces their lives with the great events that took place in India and Europe during this time, traveling to places such as London, Paris and Bad Nauheim, aside from several locations within India.

Keepers of the Flame has an on-screen narration by Kabir Bedi, who travels to the various locations to bring the stories to life. The narration is buttressed by vivid period photographs and archival film footage.

The film highlights the fact that the Tatas were India’s pioneers not only in many areas of industry but also in c o r p o r a t e social responsibility. It is a story of struggle, anxiety, adventure and achievement. It shows the difference between making money for oneself and creating wealth for the nation.

Jamsetji Tata: The founder of the Tata Group began with a textile mill in central India in the 1870s. His powerful vision inspired the steel and power industries in the country, set the foundation for t e c h n i c a l education, and helped India leapfrog from backwardness to the ranks of industrialised nations.

Sir Dorab Tata: Through his endeavours in setting up Tata Steel and Tata Power, this elder son of Jamsetji Tata was instrumental in transforming his father’s grand vision into reality. Under his leadership, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, the premier charitable endowment of the Tatas, was created, propelling the Tata tradition of philanthropy.

Sir Ratan Tata: Jamsetji Tata’s younger son had a personality that reflected his sensitivity to the struggles of ordinary people and his desire to utilise his considerable wealth to enhance the quality of public life.

JRD Tata: The late chairman of the Tata Group pioneered civil aviation on the subcontinent in 1932 by launching the airline now known as Air India. That was the first of many path-breaking achievements that JRD, who guided the destiny of the Group for more than half a century, came to be remembered for.

Naval Tata: Naval Tata’s contributions in the fields of business, sports administration and industrial labour relations symbolised all that is best in the Tata spirit of giving back to society and the communities in which its e n t e r p r i s e s grow.