“None can destroy iron, but its own rust can, likewise none can destroy a person, but his/her own mindset can,” said Ratan Tata. The Tata – Birla group provided the requirement during the World War I and World War II. They struck the iron when it was the right time. There was the urgency of World War I and II and the shortage of materials and manpower in Europe. This meant that the supplies would have to be found from another source and the quality would have to be good. The solution to this came from India. This is when the Tata and Birla groups struck in with Tata providing iron and steel and Birla group struck in with Tata providing iron and steel and Birla providing textiles. Jamset Ji Tata establishedthe Tata group while Shiv Narain Birla built the foundation of the Birla group. During the World War there was a great demand for gunny bags. The Birla group became the owners of a jute mill called Birla mill. During the War the worth of the Birla’s shot up. They provided textile and gunny bags required during War.
The ‘Bombay Plan’ also known as ‘Tata-Birla Plan’, was a 15-year economic development plan under the leadership of JRD Tata. The aim was a general standard of living which would provide for a reasonable margin over the minimum requirements of human life in 15 years of time. Sadly, Jawaharlal Nehru did not officially accept the plan because he was convinced about a 5-year plan. In conclusion, ‘If you walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together’ – Ratan Tata