Editorial

Jamsetji Tata stands tall among Indian entrepreneurs for his vision, his pioneering businesses and his idea of an industrial India. As important as any of these contributions — perhaps more so — was Jamsetji’s philanthropy and the compassion that guided it.

The JN Tata Endowment, established by the Founder of the Tata group in 1892, was the first of many trusts seeded by members of the Tata family. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey for what is now collectively known as the Tata Trusts.

Transformed over the recent past, the Trusts have evolved to go well beyond being a giver of grants. It has become an important and proactive participant in the common endeavour to confront and overcome India’s most fundamental social development challenges.

The Tata Trusts of today are concentrated on making a difference where it counts the most — on the ground and with a larger spread of beneficiaries than ever before. Purpose drives operations at the remodeled Trusts, technology enables scale and innovation facilitates impact. What remains intact is the Tata Trusts' mission: to enhance the quality of life of millions of poor and marginalised Indians.

There are numerous stories woven into the fabric of this mission — of individuals and communities, homes and hamlets, fortitude and euphoria, success and failure. Horizons is an effort, dear reader, to bring those stories — some interesting, some fascinating — to you.

Horizons is also an effort to open a window to the world of the Tata Trusts and the remarkable work that they undertake across the length and breadth of India. This inaugural issue of the magazine provides a flavour of our intent — to document the change unfolding in the country, particularly in its remote regions, and to bring into light the human element at the heart of it all.

Cheers! Christabelle Noronha

We hope you will help us make Horizons better with your valuable feedback. Please do write to us at horizons@tatatrusts.org.