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How Swami Vivekananda inspired Jamsetji Tata’s vision for the IISc in Bengaluru

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Chaitanyesh
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How Swami Vivekananda inspired Jamsetji Tata’s vision for the IISc in Bengaluru 
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  • In 1893, aboard the SS Empress of India, Jamsetji Tata &Swami Vivekananda met
  • They sowed the seeds for one of India’s most prestigious institutions
  • The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a product of their high thinking

In 1893, aboard the SS Empress of India, two towering figures of India—Jamsetji Tata, the pioneering industrialist, and Swami Vivekananda, the revered monk—had a fateful encounter that would sow the seeds for one of India’s most prestigious institutions, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Their discussions during this voyage, from Yokohama to Vancouver, would leave an indelible mark on Tata's vision for India's scientific future.

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During their conversations, Vivekananda shared his experiences of traveling across India, highlighting the dire condition of the masses and stressing the need for practical solutions to uplift the nation. He also expressed his views on the synergy between India’s spiritual traditions and Western scientific advancements. Vivekananda endorsed Tata’s plan of establishing India’s own steel industry and urged him to focus on empowering the common people through industrial education.

Deeply impressed by the monk’s patriotism and forward-thinking views on science, Jamsetji sought his guidance in establishing a research institute in India. Although Swami Vivekananda, busy with his mission, could not directly contribute, he sent his disciple Sister Nivedita to collaborate with Tata. Together, they laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.

In 1898, Tata’s vision gained momentum when he secured 372 acres of land in Bangalore with the support of the Mysore ruler, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Although Tata passed away in 1904, his dream was realized five years later, with the establishment of the Tata Institute of Science in 1909, later renamed IISc in 1911.

Today, IISc stands as a testament to their shared vision, leading scientific research in India and making its mark globally.

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