Meet India first female tennis Olympian whose diamond saved Tata Steel from bankruptcy, she is Ratan Tatas …

This woman, member of the Tata family was the first feminist activist in India, she raised voice against child marriage. Represented India at Paris Olympics and saved her husband’s company by by pledging her jewelry at the bank. She is..

The Tata family is one of the most reputed and powerful families in India. Today’s generation knows Ratan Tata and his philanthropic works, and after his sad demise, people now recognise his half-brother Noel Tata. But do you know that before Ratan, there were other Tatas who faced problems and saved the company from bankruptcy, contributing to India’s economy and providing jobs to lakhs of people? This story is about Lady Meherbai Tata, who once saved Tata Steel from bankruptcy. Let’s know her story.

Who is Meherbai Tata?

Born in 1879, Meherbai was just 18 when she married to Jamsetji Tata’s eldest son Sir Dorabji. At the time when females were not allowed to step out of the house, Lady Meherabai advocated for women’s education, stood by their right to vote, and tirelessly labored to abolish the obsolete purdah system.

Saved Husband’s Company, Faught Against Child Marriage

Meherbai was the daughter-in-law of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata. Meherbai has done tremendous work and achieved several milestones in her life. She was the first feminist activist in India. Her efforts also paved the way for the 1929 law banning child marriage. Not only that, Lady Meherbai once saved her husband’s company from bankruptcy by raising funds by pledging her jewellery at the bank.

Lady Meherbai Represented India In Olympics

She was also a sportsperson and became the first Indian woman to compete in tennis at Paris Olympics in 1924. She participated in the Olympics wearing a traditional saree.

How Maherbai Saved Tatas

Emerging as a saviour during the tough financial crisis, Meherbai played a monumental role in resurrecting the Tata group. Tata Steel, referred as TISCO back in 1924, was grappling with the impact of the Great Depression. Willing to go to great lengths to save the company, Meherbai forfeited his treasured Jubilee Diamond, twice the size in comparison to the famed Kohinoor. An act demonstrating his steadfast commitment, his decision injected stability into the operations of the company and thereby ensuring its survival and continued success.

Tata Memorial Hospital and Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Lady Meherabai passed away in 1931 at the age of 52 due to Leukemia. She remains a beacon of inspiration. Her diamond sales funded the establishment of the Tata Memorial Hospital and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and her imprints contributed significantly to their funding.

As an advocator of women’s rights, she significantly influenced modern India. Her life began on October 10, 1879, in Bombay, as a daughter to Hormusji J. Bhabha, a pioneer among Parsis who pursued education in England. After migrating to Bangalore, Meherbai received education from Bishop Cotton School. In 1884 when her father triumphantly held the position of principal at Maharaja’s College in Mysore, she etched her destiny.