From J. N. Tata to Swami Vivekananda

Dear Swami Vivekanand,

I trust you remember me as a fellow-traveller in your voyage from Japan to Chicago [in 1893]. 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 a Research Institute 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 in 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] Vivekanand.

So you think you would care to apply yourself to the Mission of galvanizing into life our ancient traditions in this respect? Perhaps, you had better begin with a fiery pamphlet rousing our people in this matter? I should cheerfully repay all the expenses of publication.

With kind regards,

I am dear Swami                

Yours faithfully Jamsetji N. Tata 

This letter was written sometime before 1900, and I chanced upon it in an old archive. The Research Institute of India that J. N. Tata talks about, which he subsequently founded, is today the Indian Institute of Science situated at Bangalore.