There is a difference between making money for oneself and creating wealth for others. This is the story of a House that has created wealth for a nation. It is the story of struggle, anxiety, adventure, achievement.
An unfinished story...
Throughout history there have been two categories of people - those who create wealth and those who consume it. This century has given rise to a new category of people whose passion is to control the wealth others take the trouble to create. To consume or control wealth needs little qualification. To create wealth is a different proposition. Through the study of one leading industrial house this book takes a look at what it takes to create wealth for a nation.
The word 'wealth' is derived from the old English word 'weal' which means well-being, happiness, prosperity, welfare. In its larger context it embraces 'the welfare of a country or community; the general good.' The English expression 'the public weal' or 'commonweal' has its counterpart in French 'le bien publique' and in Latin 'bonum publicum.' It is significant the the Japanese publishers of this book, Simul Press, got the point and entitled their edition "The Creation of Wealth and the use of it."
If words and slogans could create wealth, the streets of India would be paved with gold. It takes more than that. A nation's wealth comes out of vision and hard work; out of anxious days and long unrewarded nights; out of courage that is ready for sacrifices; out of values cherished and battles fought for them; out of compassion for human beings. To what extent have some of these qualities found expression in the moulding of the House of Tata?
The wealth created by an industrial house is to be measured not only on the basis of its balance sheet but also in terms of its skilled manpower, its advanced technology and its ability to conduct satisfactory industrial relations. Even more so in terms of its ripple effects on a national life. A good part of this book is devoted to the ripple effects.
- R M Lala, The Creation of Wealth
