Sir NOWROJI SAKLATVALA

Sir Nowroji Saklatvala was born on September 10, 1875. He was educated at St. Xavier’s School and College.

He joined the Tata organisation in 1899 as a clerk in the Svadeshi Mills. Within twenty years he rose to be the head of the firm.

He was created a C.I.E. in 1923, and knighted in 1933. During World War I, he was associated with many committees and rendered particularly meritorious service as Honorary Adviser to the Munitions Board during 1919-1921. He represented as an Employers’ Delegate in the 1921 International Labour Conference at Geneva. He was connected for many years with the Committee of the Mill owners’ Association and was its Chairman in 1917. He was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council in 1921. He represented them in the Bombay Legislative Assembly in 1922.

He was a Chairman of about twenty largest companies and corporations like TISCO, Tata Hydro-Electric, ACC, New India Life Insurance Company and Imperial Bank. He was on the Board of the Bombay Port Trust.

On the death of Sir Dorab Tata, he was elected as Chairman of Tata Sons in 1932.

Being an ordained priest he led a simple life style and was sympathetic towards the helpless and the poor. As Chairman of Tata Steel (TISCO) he was greatly responsible for the profit sharing scheme for the employees. As Chairman of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, he encouraged several charitable institutions.

In spite of the busy schedule his love for sport is visible in the many sporting events and organisations he is connected with. He was Chairman of the Cricket Club of India, the Parsi Gymkhana, and the Bombay Presidency Olympic Association and was Vice-President of the Bombay Hockey Federation. The magnificent Brabourne Stadium was built under his guidance.

Sir Nowroji Saklatvala left Bombay on a short trip to Europe at the end of April and passed away at Aix-Les-Bains, France on July 21, 1938.