Sumati Morarjee, was known as the first lady of Indian shipping. She helped establish a model for modern shipping companies offering the world not only business values, but propagating Indian culture and heritage. Well-versed in history and philosophy, she was also a discerning art collector.
Born into the affluent family of Mathuradas Goculdas, the only daughter among seven children, at birth, Sumati was named Jamuna, after the sacred river. At 13, she was married to Shanti Kumar, the only son of Narottam Morarjee, eminent industrialist and the founder of Scindia Steam Navigation Company, established in 1919. Since two most affluent and well-known families were involved, the marriage was then among the biggest social events in Bombay.
Narottam, fascinated by Jamuna’s keen intellect, fast learning skills and a thirst for knowledge, renamed her Sumati – a Sanskrit-derived word which translates as ‘a woman with superior wisdom’. Evincing deep interest in family’s business and often sharing her insights, she was fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi. She also took the onus as the lady of the household after her mother-in-law’s early demise.
Her being pitchforked into the forefront of the Morarjee business estate was unheard of in those days. Nominated to the managing agency of the company in 1923 at age 14, she was included in board of directors, aged 20.
The shipping venture then was in its infancy with Narottam parlaying a few vessels for cargo transport between India and Europe. In 1946, Sumati quietly assumed complete charge of SSNC, and over the next few decades, single-handedly took it to its zenith, scaling the company’s strength to a fleet of 43 large ships, totalling 5, 52,000 tonnes of dead weight, supervising over 6000 employees and managed it for the next 69 years. She also became the President of Indian Fleet Association.
Post 1947, as Indian trade slowly evolved, ships played a crucial role in facilitating exports and imports. Sumati’s expertise and experience became instrumental in helping India’s trade relations and transport. In 1956, Sumati became the first woman to be elected President of the Indian National Steamship Owners’ Association (later Indian National Shipowners Association), an honour repeated in 57, 58 and in 1965. This made her the sole decision-maker over her ships.
By 1965 SSNC, one of the oldest, largest, and most respected shipping establishments in India became the Largest Fleet in India under her. In 1970, she became the Vice President of World Shipping Federation, London.
From 1979 to 1987, she was Chairperson, till sadly the debt-ridden company was taken over by the erstwhile Shipping Credit and Investment Corporation of India. All 23 ships that the company owned then, which Sumati proudly called her daughters, were sold. She was Chairperson Emeritus of the company till 1992. Sumati and Shanti Kumar substantially contributed to India’s freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi considered her a close aide.
Using her fleet, she helped safely transport Sindhis from Pakistan to India during Partition. A deeply spiritual Vaishnavite, Sumati was a dedicated devotee of Srinathji and venerated the Tulsi.
In 1965, she provided a complimentary one-way passage on her ship Jaladutta, to New York to Swami Prabhupada, later Founder Acharya of ISKCON.
Sumati was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, in 1971. She served as the chairperson of the Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping and founded the Sumati Vidya Kendra School in Juhu, Mumbai. A richly illustrated hardcover book on Sumati, titled Sumati Morarjee –Felicitation Volume (Service to India Shipping), contains several chapters on her illustrious life and career and her writings.
She died of cardiac arrest at 89, leaving a trail of legacy.
[column size=”5/5″]
A. Radhakrishnan is a Pune based freelance writer, poet and short story writer.
[/column]