When we talk about the love memorial, the first memorial which comes to our mind is the Taj Mahal. This has been taught to us from childhood that this is the greatest love memorial in the world, which emperor Shah Jahan built in memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal. Actually, the fact is, how this can be considered a love memorial when Shah Jahan was not Mumtaz Mahal’s first husband, and secondly, after the death of Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan married her younger sister? There is another fact floating in the history books is that Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the workers who were involved in the building of Taj Mahal to be amputated after the monument was complete. What kind of love is this?
Some Indian historians, now are saying that if you go by ancient history then there is one more love memorial that stands out against the Taj Mahal. This memorial is called Ram Setu, this is the bridge across the sea, Lord Rama built with the help of Vanar Sena when he had to reach Lanka to save his wife Sita who was abducted by King Ravana. But many historians believed that this is a fictitious story and that no Ram Setu existed, but a few years back modern technology confirmed the presence of Ram Setu under the sea in present times. So in some historian’s eyes, Ram Setu is a bigger love memorial than the Taj Mahal, as there was no bloodshed involved after it was completed, secondly, Ram built the Setu to reach Lanka where his wife Sita was captive. A sign of true love.
But there is one bigger love memorial of modern times that very few people are aware of in our country.
Now if you see the above photograph, you will see a lady wearing a necklace which is having a big diamond. This diamond which she is wearing is 254 carat and was known as the Jubilee Diamond, and is double the size and weight of the world-famous Kohinoor Diamond. The name of the lady is Meherbai Tata she was the wife of Jamshedji Tata’s eldest son Dorabji Tata.
After the first world war, in the year 1924, there was a big recession all over the world and Tata company did not have funds to even pay the salaries of their workmen. That time Meherbai mortgaged this priceless Jubilee Diamond with Imperial Bank for Rs 1 Cr so that the Tata Company keeps on running and never fall short of funds for workmen’s salaries.
After her sudden death due to blood cancer, her husband Dorabji Tata created TATA MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION, so that Indians who are suffering from cancer can be treated in a better way at the minimum cost/free to patients.
This foundation is popularly known as Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and is located at Parel in Mumbai, and this hospital pioneered cancer treatment in the country, and to date, this is one hospital where people come from every part of the country, and from other countries of the world to get the treatment for cancer at a nominal cost.
When Dorabji Tata built this foundation in memory of his wife Meherbai, he was not knowing after nine decades Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital will be an epitaph of Love. In my opinion, this should be considered the biggest Love Memorial, as after building the same, the memorial is still serving humanity.
Friends, what is your opinion on this issue, please do write your views.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
17th May 2023