Tata Trusts’ tally

"In the year gone by, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Navajbai Tata Trust have catalyzed development with several hundred partners through grants amounting to Rs 1.69 billion, while leveraging at least twice as much from other sources, including several state governments, banks and other funding organizations. High performance ethics have been adhered to, thus bringing about sustainable change in the lives of some of the most vulnerable communities in the country,” states the message of Ratan N. Tata, chairperson of the Trusts in their combined annual report for 2010-2011. This is "a significant year for the Trusts as they commence their fourth strategic planning process,” Tata’s message continues. "The Strategic Plan 2016 would be the guiding light for grant making operations over a five year period, enabling the Trusts to take on further challenges as significant development players in the field,” he communicates.

In1913 Sir Ratan Tata mandated that the funds be used "for the enhancement of education, learning and industry in all its branches, including education in economy, sanitary services and art, or for the relief of human suffering, or for other works of public utility.” Nearly a century later, the Trusts have remained true to his vision. In addition to the financial accounts, the Report provides details of its programs covering institutional as well as individual grants which impact the entire gamut of human endeavor, from improving rural livelihoods and betterment of their communities, to enhancing civic society and government, arts and culture, along with the more traditional objects of providing assistance to the needy in the fields of health and education.

Induced to cultivate nutritious millet on the family’s 7.5 acres of land in Tamil Nadu, 35-year-old Venila’s efforts have paid rich dividends. Not only has her yield increased, but she and other women of the community have learnt to leverage their expertise, producing ragi biscuits and other savories which they retail. Her monthly income having increased by Rs 10,000, "with my new found confidence, I convinced Indian Bank to grant me a loan to buy a Maruti van to add value to my business,” she says. She is now sending her children to high school and has installed a bore well for irrigation. Another success story is that of young Tasvir. Member of a poor family of rag-pickers in Bhopal, despite having to deal with police brutality and other hardships, he now has access to better education through the Muskaan initiative supported by the Tata Trusts. Tasvir looks forward to a brighter future and plans to become a doctor.

The redesigned annual report is replete with color photographs and educative text material. According to Firdaus J. Gandavia, secretary and chief accountant, an online version is available on http://www.srtt.org