A slice of history, and the turning tide

MUMBAI: In the early 1900s:“Do you mean to say that Tatas propose to make steel rails to British specifications? Why, I will undertake to eat every pound of steel rail they succeed in making.”

Sir Fredrick Upcott,chief commissioner for the Indian Railways

In 2006:“This combination with Tata, for Corus shareholders and employees alike, represents the right partner at the right time at the right price and on the right terms.”

Jim Leng, chairman, Corus

In 1964:“For the loser now will be later to win For the times they are a-changin’.”

Bob Dylan

What a difference a century can make. In the year 1898-99, Jamsetji decided that the time had come for India to make its foray into steel. He took it on to himself to search for the right minerals, coal and power which would be the driving forces of his steel plant.

However, the British government was wary of any Indian even thinking of steel, let alone produce it. In fact, Lord Curzon even invited the British industrialist Sir Ernest Cassels to consider a steel plant for India. But Jamsetji was not disheartened by the huge number of interminable obstacles placed in his way. Even at sixty three, the man was carrying samples of coal and iron ore, travelling all around the world, with the objective of realising his dreams.

Many an adventure took place. Many a meeting with ‘Doubting Thomases.’ But, amidst animals and forests on Christmas day, 1907, work on clearing the forest land to set up Tata Steel first began at Sakchi. On February, 16, 1912, the first ingot of steel rolled on the line of the Sakchi plant. Soon, during World War I, Tatas exported 1,500 miles of steel rails to Mesopotamia. Dorab Tata, commented dryly that if Sir Fredrick had carried out his undertaking, he would certainly have had ‘some slight indigestion.’

Today, on the October, 20, ’06, Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus has accepted a £4.3bn ($8bn) take-over bid from Tata Steel, foreshadowing the creation of the world’s fifth-largest steel producer. The idea of Tata and Corus is a powerful one. And nothing can stop it.