Meet India’s first female tennis Olympian whose diamond saved Tata Steel from bankruptcy, she was Ratan Tata’s…, name is…
Wyatt Mason 
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?
Ratan Tata has always been associated with philanthrophy. Even after his death, Ratan Tata’s will which has been made public speaks volume about his character. 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?
When she married Jamsetji Tata’s eldest son Sir Dorabji, she was just 18. However, she was way ahead of her time. Lady Meherabai advocated for women’s education, stood by their right to vote, and tirelessly labored to abolish the obsolete purdah system. he 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
She just not saved the Tata from financial crisis but also 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 her treasured Jubilee Diamond, twice the size in comparison to the famed Kohinoor. An act demonstrating her steadfast commitment, her decision injected stability into the operations of the company and thereby ensuring its survival and continued success.
Lady Meherabai passed away in 1931 at the age of 52 due to blood cancer. 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.
