Dear Swami Vivekananda ,

I trust, you remember me as a fellow-traveller on your voyage from Japan to Chicago. I very much recall at this moment your views on the growth of the ascetic spirit in India, and the duty, not of destroying, but of diverting it into useful channels.
I recall these ideas in connection with my scheme of Research Institute of Science for India, of which you have doubtless heard or read. It seems to me that no better use can be made of the ascetic spirit than the establishment of monasteries or residential halls for men dominated by this spirit, where they should live with ordinary decency, and devote their lives to the cultivation of sciences – natural and humanistic. I am of opinion that, if such a crusade in favour of an asceticism of this kind were undertaken by a competent leader, it would greatly help asceticism, science, and the good name of our common country; and I know not who would make a more fitting general of such a campaign than Vivekananda. Do you think you would care to apply yourself to the mission of galvanazing into life our traditions in this respect? Perhaps you had better begin with a fiery pamphlet rousing our people in this matter. I should cheerfully defray all the expenses of publication.

23rd November 1898
Jamshedji N Tata

This letter was written by Jamshedji N Tata to Swami Vivekananda asking him to take the leadership of a Research Institute for Science in India.

Jamshedji N Tata met Swami Vivekananda for the first time during a ship journey from Japan to USA in 1893. During his casual talk with Jamshedji Tata, Swamiji asked, for what mission he was travelling?

Jamshedji replied that he wanted to bring steel industry to India

Swamiji blessed him. He suggested steel technology had two components – one is steel science and the other is manufacturing technology.

What can you bring to this country in material technology – you will have to build material science within the country

Earlier when Jamshedji went to London he asked for technology transfer for Steel Plant. UK steel manufacturers looked at Jamshedji and said that if Indians make steel, Britishers will eat it.

Jamshedji crossed Atlantic Ocean, talked to Americans and brought manufacturing technology for steel. And the Tata Steel was established in Jamshedpur. The IISc born out of a vision of great minds is the foremost scientific research institution providing post graduate education.

The visionary Jamshedji gave one portion of his asset for starting a science institute today known as Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore.

Jamshedji brought two establishments to this country – first one was steel plant and the other was an educational research institution

A visionary like Jamshedji with the blessing of Swamiji established Indian Institute of Science in 1905 with his funds. This institution as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda dreamt, has one of the best material science lab. Also, Indian Institute of Science is a world class institution in various areas for physics, aerospace technology, knowledge products, bio-science and bio-technology. This is the one institution where convergence of technology like bio-technology, information technology and nano-technology is emerging. This institution also participated in the research and development of space programmes, defence programmes and also many societal missions……

In Simple, This great institution took its birth from the above letter that a progressive industrialist had written to a spiritual leader….

This gives an important message that  Dream gives vision, Vision gives Thoughts and Thought leads to Actions…

Conclusion:

100 years ago — Swami Vivekananda had predicted that, in another 100 years, India would rise again and show the world the path to enlightenment. IISc took its birth from the vision of Swami Vivekananda in 1905 and after almost 100 years, as Swamiji predicted, from Amma’s vision, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham took its birth to enlighten the whole world.

Pranams at  The Lotus Feet of my Beloved Mother….

This excerpt was taken from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s address at the Youth Convention and inauguration of the Vivekananda Institute of Value Education and Culture at Porbandar, Gujarat on January 12, 2006.