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{{BLP sources|date=June 2012}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = Smt. Sumati Morarjee | name = श्रीमती सुमती मोरारजी | honorific_suffix = | native_name = ''Jamuna'' (यमुना)
{{Infobox person
| native_name_lang = | image = Sumati_morarjee.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1907|03|13}} | birth_place = [[Bombay]]| disappeared_date = <!-- {{Disappeared date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (disappeared date then birth date) --> | disappeared_place = | disappeared_status = | death_date = {{Death date and age|1998|06|27|1907|03|13}} | death_place = | death_cause = [[Cardiac arrest]]| body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} --> | monuments = | residence = | nationality = | other_names = | ethnicity = <!-- Ethnicity should be supported with a citation from a reliable source --> | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = | years_active = | employer = | organization = | agent = | known_for = [[Scindia Steam Navigation Company]]
⚫
| name = Sumati Morarjee
| notable_works = | style = | influences = [[Mahatma Gandhi]] | influenced = | home_town = | predecessor = | successor = | religion = <!-- Religion should be supported with a citation from a reliable source --> | spouse = Shanti Kumar | partner = | children = | parents = | relatives = | callsign = | awards = [[Padma Vibhushan]] (1971)| signature = | signature_alt = | signature_size = | module = | module2 = | module3 = | module4 = | module5 = | module6 = | website = <!-- {{URL|Example.com}} --> | footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|author=About the Author:&nbsp; Satyaraja Dasa |url=http://btg.krishna.com/passage-india-sumati-morarjee-and-prabhupadas-journey-west |title=Passage from India: Sumati Morarjee and Prabhupada's Journey West &#124; Back to Godhead |publisher=Btg.krishna.com |date= |accessdate=2012-07-09}}</ref> | box_width = }}
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Sumati_morarjee.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Jamuna
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1909|03|13}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1998|06|27|1909|03|13}}
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], India
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| education =
| occupation =
| employer =
| organization =
| known_for = [[Scindia Steam Navigation Company]]
| spouse = [[Shanti Kumar Narottam Morarjee]]
| partner =
| children =
| awards = [[Padma Vibhushan]] (1971)
| website = <!-- {{URL|Example.com}} -->
| footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|author=Satyaraja Dasa |url=http://btg.krishna.com/passage-india-sumati-morarjee-and-prabhupadas-journey-west |title=Passage from India: Sumati Morarjee and Prabhupada's Journey West &#124; Back to Godhead |publisher=Btg.krishna.com |access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref>
⚫
}}


'''Sumati Morarjee''' also known as the first woman of Indian shipping is credited to have became the first woman in the world to head an organisation of ship owners - ''Indian National Steamship Owners Association'' (later renamed ''Indian National Shipowners Association'') which has been traditionally a male bastion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sumati Morarjee, mother of Indian shipping, dies at 91|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/1998/jun/29sumati.htm|accessdate=21 June 2012|date=June 29, 1998}}</ref> She has been awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan|second highest civilian honor of India]] in 1971 for her civil services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india.gov.in/myindia/padmavibhushan_awards_list1.php|accessdate=21 June 2012|author=[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Ministry of Communications and Information Technology]].|title=List of Padma Vibhushan Awardees.}}</ref>
'''Sumati Morarjee''' (13 March 1909<ref name="Roy1999">{{cite book|author=Manabendra Nath Roy|title=The Radical Humanist|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acEaAQAAIAAJ|access-date=22 March 2016|year=1999|publisher=Maniben Kara|page=38}}</ref> – 27 June 1998<ref>{{cite book|title=Fairplay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G1VUAAAAMAAJ|access-date=22 March 2016|date=June 1998|publisher=Fairplay Publications Limited|page=62}}</ref>), also known as the first woman of Indian shipping, is credited to have become the first woman in the world to head an organisation of ship owners, the Indian National Steamship Owners Association (later renamed Indian National Shipowners Association) which has been traditionally a male bastion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sumati Morarjee, mother of Indian shipping, dies at 91|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/1998/jun/29sumati.htm|access-date=21 June 2012|date=29 June 1998}}</ref> She has been awarded Padma Vibhushan, the [[Padma Vibhushan|second highest civilian honor of India]] in 1971 for her civil services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india.gov.in/myindia/padmavibhushan_awards_list1.php|access-date=21 June 2012|author=[[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Ministry of Communications and Information Technology]].|title=List of Padma Vibhushan Awardees.}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
She was born to wealthy family of ''Mathuradas Gokuldas'' and his wife, ''Premabai'' , in [[Bombay]]. Sumati was named Jamuna, after the sacred river associated with Krishna in Vrindavan. According to then contemporary customs in India, while still a young girl she was married to ''Shanti Kumar'', the only son of [[Narottam Morarjee]], the founder of [[Scindia Steam Navigation Company]], which later grew to be India's largest shipping firm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Excerpts - Prem Rawat's Divine Incarnation Explanatio|url=http://www.prem-rawat-bio.org/nytimesinterview.html|publisher=NY Times|date= April 8, 1973|accessdate=21 June 2012}}</ref>
Morarjee was born to the wealthy family of Mathuradas Goculdas and his wife, Premabai, in [[Bombay]]. She was named Jamuna, after the sacred river associated with Krishna in Vrindavan. According to then contemporary customs in India, while still a young girl she was married to [[Shanti Kumar Narottam Morarjee]], the only son of [[Narottam Morarjee]], founder of [[Scindia Steam Navigation Company]], which later grew to be India's largest shipping firm.<ref>{{cite web|title=Excerpts - Prem Rawat's Divine Incarnation Explanatio|url=http://www.prem-rawat-bio.org/nytimesinterview.html|publisher=NY Times|date= 8 April 1973|access-date=21 June 2012}}</ref>

She possessed a keen wisdom and ingenuity from her very youth and realizing her ability, his father-in-law Narottam renamed her Sumati ("she of superior intellect"). She could speak [[Hindi]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], and [[English language|English]] and showed ability and interest in all facets of her father-in-law's business and became the lady of the extended household, gradually developing expertise in both domestic and business affairs.


== Scindia Steam Navigation Company ==
== Scindia Steam Navigation Company ==


She was included in the managing agency of the company in 1923 at age 20. Sumati built the company from humble beginnings parlaying a few vessels in the company and gradually developing it, till she assumed full charge of the company by 1946, managing over six thousand people. She was already on the board of directors, and her expertise in the shipping trade, developed over many years. Due to her amazing feat, she was also elected the president of ''Indian National Steamship Owners' Association'' in 1956 and next two years and again in 1965. It was under her supervision that the company rose to fleet of 43 shipping vessels totalling 552,000 tonnes of dead weight.<ref>{{cite news|title=SHIPPING BOSS TO OPEN NEW SERVICE|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19711122.2.43.aspx|accessdate=21 June 2012|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=22 November 1971|page=8}}</ref>
Morarjee was included in the managing agency of the company in 1923 at age 14. She built the company from humble beginnings parlaying a few vessels in the company and gradually developing it, till she assumed full charge of the company by 1946, managing over six thousand people. She was already on the board of directors, and her expertise in the shipping trade, developed over many years. Due to her amazing feat, she was also elected the president of ''Indian National Steamship Owners' Association'' in 1956 and next two years and again in 1965. It was under her supervision that the company rose to fleet of 43 shipping vessels totalling 552,000 tonnes of dead weight.<ref>{{cite news|title=SHIPPING BOSS TO OPEN NEW SERVICE|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19711122.2.43.aspx|access-date=21 June 2012|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=22 November 1971|page=8}}</ref>


From 1979 to 1987, she was chairperson of the company, until the government took over the debt-ridden Scindia Steam Navigation. She was later appointed as the chairperson emeritus of the company till 1992.
From 1979 to 1987, she was chairperson of the company, until the government took over the debt-ridden Scindia Steam Navigation. She was later appointed as the chairperson emeritus of the company till 1992.
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== Influence of Mahatma Gandhi ==
== Influence of Mahatma Gandhi ==


Sumati was a regular counterpart of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and both met on several occasions. Their exchange was documented in newspaper reports. He counted her among his closest friends. Between 1942 and 1946, she was involved in the underground movement for [[Independence]] with him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gandhi: a photographic exhibition|url=http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/gandhi_photo.html|publisher=nZine.co.nz|date=2002-09-27| accessdate=21 June 2012}}</ref>
Morarjee remained in regular touch with [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and both met on several occasions. Their exchange was documented in newspaper reports. She counted her among her closest friends. Between 1942 and 1946, she was involved in the underground movement for [[Independence]] with him.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gandhi: a photographic exhibition|url=http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/gandhi_photo.html|publisher=nZine.co.nz|date=2002-09-27| access-date=21 June 2012}}</ref>


== Accomplishments ==
== Accomplishments ==
* She was also the founder of the Sumati Vidya Kendra School in Juhu, Mumbai.
* She was also the founder of the Sumati Vidya Kendra School in Juhu, Mumbai.
* She provided one way passage to [[A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]], Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in 1965.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://btg.krishna.com/passage-india-sumati-morarjee-and-prabhupadas-journey-west|title=Passage from India: Sumati Morarjee and Prabhupada's Journey West &#124; Back to Godhead}}</ref>

* She was elected as vice-president of the [[World Shipping Federation]], [[London]], in 1970.
* She was elected as vice-president of the [[World Shipping Federation]], [[London]], in 1970.

* She served as the chairperson of the Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping.
* She served as the chairperson of the Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping.

* She was instrumental in bringing the [[Sindhis]] from [[Pakistan]] during [[Partition of India]].
* She was instrumental in bringing the [[Sindhis]] from [[Pakistan]] during [[Partition of India]].
⚫
* She helped to establish a model for modern Indian Shipping companies and offered to the world not only business values but also helped propagate ideas of [[Indian culture]] and heritage.

⚫
* She helped to establish a model for modern Indian Shipping companies and offered to world not only business values but also helped propagate ideas of [[Indian culture]] and heritage.


{{cquote|It is not purely for business motives that we today concentrate on shipping. We want our people to travel abroad and the foreigners to see our ancient land. It has been the Indian tradition to export the best to foreign countries. We did business in merchandise for centuries, but our most precious cargo has been ideas of universal brotherhood and deep spirituality. . . . Our tradition of such transcendent goodwill to all has continued throughout.|author=Sumati Morarjee}}
{{cquote|It is not purely for business motives that we today concentrate on shipping. We want our people to travel abroad and the foreigners to see our ancient land. It has been the Indian tradition to export the best to foreign countries. We did business in merchandise for centuries, but our most precious cargo has been ideas of universal brotherhood and deep spirituality. . . . Our tradition of such transcendent goodwill to all has continued throughout.|author=Sumati Morarjee}}
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== Death ==
== Death ==


She died due to [[cardiac arrest]] on June 27, 1998 at the age of 91.
She died due to [[cardiac arrest]] on 27 June 1998 at the age of 89.


==References==
== References ==


{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [http://prabhupadaletters.com Prabhupada letters to Morarjee]
* [http://prabhupadaletters.com Prabhupada letters to Morarjee]
* The Strait Times Newspaper - Digitized newspapers Archive at [http://newspapers.nl.sg]
* The Straits Times Newspaper - Digitized newspapers Archive at [http://newspapers.nl.sg]
* [http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/PadmaAwards1954-2007.pdf "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2007)"]. [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090410024701/http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/PadmaAwards1954-2007.pdf "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2007)"]. [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)]]


{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Morarjee, Sumati}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
⚫
[[Category:1909 births]]
⚫
| NAME = Morarjee, Sumati
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Indian businessman
| DATE OF BIRTH = 13 March 1907
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Bombay]]
| DATE OF DEATH = 27 June 1998
| PLACE OF DEATH =
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}}
⚫
[[Category:1907 births]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:1998 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Shipping in India]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople in shipping]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Indian women in business]]
[[Category:Businesswomen from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesswomen]]

Revision as of 15:36, 13 February 2024

Sumati Morarjee
Born
Jamuna

(1909-03-13)13 March 1909
Bombay, British India
Died27 June 1998(1998-06-27) (aged 89)
Mumbai, India
Known forScindia Steam Navigation Company
SpouseShanti Kumar Narottam Morarjee
AwardsPadma Vibhushan (1971)
Notes

Sumati Morarjee (13 March 1909[2] – 27 June 1998[3]), also known as the first woman of Indian shipping, is credited to have become the first woman in the world to head an organisation of ship owners, the Indian National Steamship Owners Association (later renamed Indian National Shipowners Association) which has been traditionally a male bastion.[4] She has been awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honor of India in 1971 for her civil services.[5]

Early life

Morarjee was born to the wealthy family of Mathuradas Goculdas and his wife, Premabai, in Bombay. She was named Jamuna, after the sacred river associated with Krishna in Vrindavan. According to then contemporary customs in India, while still a young girl she was married to Shanti Kumar Narottam Morarjee, the only son of Narottam Morarjee, founder of Scindia Steam Navigation Company, which later grew to be India's largest shipping firm.[6]

Scindia Steam Navigation Company

Morarjee was included in the managing agency of the company in 1923 at age 14. She built the company from humble beginnings parlaying a few vessels in the company and gradually developing it, till she assumed full charge of the company by 1946, managing over six thousand people. She was already on the board of directors, and her expertise in the shipping trade, developed over many years. Due to her amazing feat, she was also elected the president of Indian National Steamship Owners' Association in 1956 and next two years and again in 1965. It was under her supervision that the company rose to fleet of 43 shipping vessels totalling 552,000 tonnes of dead weight.[7]

From 1979 to 1987, she was chairperson of the company, until the government took over the debt-ridden Scindia Steam Navigation. She was later appointed as the chairperson emeritus of the company till 1992.

Influence of Mahatma Gandhi

Morarjee remained in regular touch with Mahatma Gandhi and both met on several occasions. Their exchange was documented in newspaper reports. She counted her among her closest friends. Between 1942 and 1946, she was involved in the underground movement for Independence with him.[8]

Accomplishments

  • She was also the founder of the Sumati Vidya Kendra School in Juhu, Mumbai.
  • She provided one way passage to A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in 1965.[9]
  • She was elected as vice-president of the World Shipping Federation, London, in 1970.
  • She served as the chairperson of the Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping.
  • She was instrumental in bringing the Sindhis from Pakistan during Partition of India.
  • She helped to establish a model for modern Indian Shipping companies and offered to the world not only business values but also helped propagate ideas of Indian culture and heritage.

It is not purely for business motives that we today concentrate on shipping. We want our people to travel abroad and the foreigners to see our ancient land. It has been the Indian tradition to export the best to foreign countries. We did business in merchandise for centuries, but our most precious cargo has been ideas of universal brotherhood and deep spirituality. . . . Our tradition of such transcendent goodwill to all has continued throughout.

— Sumati Morarjee

Death

She died due to cardiac arrest on 27 June 1998 at the age of 89.

References

  1. ^ Satyaraja Dasa. "Passage from India: Sumati Morarjee and Prabhupada's Journey West | Back to Godhead". Btg.krishna.com. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  2. ^ Manabendra Nath Roy (1999). The Radical Humanist. Maniben Kara. p. 38. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  3. ^ Fairplay. Fairplay Publications Limited. June 1998. p. 62. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Sumati Morarjee, mother of Indian shipping, dies at 91". 29 June 1998. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. ^ Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. "List of Padma Vibhushan Awardees". Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Excerpts - Prem Rawat's Divine Incarnation Explanatio". NY Times. 8 April 1973. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  7. ^ "SHIPPING BOSS TO OPEN NEW SERVICE". The Straits Times. 22 November 1971. p. 8. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  8. ^ "Gandhi: a photographic exhibition". nZine.co.nz. 27 September 2002. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Passage from India: Sumati Morarjee and Prabhupada's Journey West | Back to Godhead".

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumati_Morarjee&oldid=1206954310"