Tata Steel on Saturday rededicated the Sir Dorabji Tata Park opposite the Keenan Stadium in Bistupur to the people of Jamshedpur on the occasion of the park’s silver jubilee.
Saturday also happened to be the 141st birth anniversary of Lady Meherbai Tata, wife of Sir Dorabji.
Sir Dorabji Tata was the eldest son of Tata group founder J.N. Tata.
On the occasion, Tata Steel CEO and managing director T.V. Narendran unveiled the renovated park comprising an illuminated diamond structure and a pavilion.
Ruchi Narendran, wife of the Tata Steel MD, unveiled the statue of Lady Meherbai Tata.
They were joined by senior company officials and R. Ravi Prasad, president of Tata Workers’ Union, among other guests.
In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, all the other invitees, including employees, joined the event via videoconferencing.
Spread over 2.5 acres, the renovated park now includes a statue of Lady Meherbai Tata and a resplendent steel tubular structure and a pavilion through which the legacy of the famous “Jubilee Diamond” has been immortalised in steel.
The diamond structure Bhola Prasad
Addressing the event, MD Narendran spoke about the Tata ethos and said: “It gives me immense pride to be a part of the Tata Group legacy. It is founded on strong values and exemplary leadership. Even 100 years later, we are still grounded in our ethos and stay committed to responsible and inclusive development. Sir Dorabji Tata and Lady Meherbai Tata are the embodiment of these beliefs. Both were spirited leaders and passionate individuals, who contributed immensely to our shared legacy. This park is a tribute to them and a symbol of Tata Steel’s commitment to the city of Jamshedpur.”
Welcoming the guests, Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-president, corporate services, Tata Steel, said: “Tata Steel since inception has been committed to inclusive development and through this rededication, we would like to honour the contributions and sacrifices of Sir Dorabji Tata and Lady Meherbai Tata towards the unparalleled legacy of Tata Steel and the steel city. The Diamond Pavilion, a marvel in steel, will be a new attraction in Jamshedpur; it will celebrate the stories of excellence, leadership and sacrifice for years to come.”
In a video message, Jamshed J. Irani, former managing director of Tata Steel, said: “The Diamond Pavilion and Lady Meherbai’s statue are thoughtful additions to the Sir Dorabji Tata Park. The park as it stands today is a veritable salute to Sir Dorabji Tata and Lady Meherbai Tata for their contributions and sacrifices that helped in creating the inimitable legacy of Tata Group, Tata Steel and our city of Jamshedpur.”
The design of the upgraded park is based on the principles of sustainability and best practices to ensure that all design elements come together, projecting harmony and enduring as a holistic tribute to the legacy of Tata Steel and the city of Jamshedpur.
Lady Meherbai’s statue stands at the southern end of the park, directly facing Sir Dorabji's statue.
Tata Steel MD TV Narendran at the renovated Sir Dorabji Tata Park in Bistupur in Saturday. Bhola Prasad
The “Jubilee Diamond” became part of the Tata story in the early 1900s when the diamond was pledged along with the entire personal wealth of Sir Dorabji Tata and his wife to pull Tisco (the former name of Tata Steel) out of severe financial difficulties in the aftermath of the First World War.
Designed by the architect Nuru Karim, the diamond structure and the pavilion form an integral part of the overall redesign of Sir Dorabji Tata Park.
Positioned at the western end of the park, the pavilion lends to its sustainable and harmonious design, while capturing the timeless elegance of the “Jubilee Diamond”.
Spanning 16m by 12m, the structure is fabricated using Tata Structura tubular steel hollow sections to create an intricate lattice. Weighing 45 metric tonnes, the structure rests on the proverbial “diamond” tip, rising outward from the ground to meet the sky.
The Jubilee Diamond structure also houses a central amphitheatre. This space allows visitors to experience the brilliance of the diamond pavilion from within its interior.
The splendid pavilion is another addition to the “Structures of the Future” series dedicated by Tata Steel to the country.
Over the past 100 years, Tata Steel has been associated with some of the most iconic structures of India, like the Howrah Bridge in Calcutta, the Butterfly Park in Bangalore, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, an award-winning steel sculpture depicting the “Gandhian Charkha” at the Oval Maidan in Mumbai and “The Rath” at the Biju Patnaik Park in Bhubaneswar.
