Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Regular Fit Jeans Buy Now
CRZ Yoga Pima Cotton Cropped Tank Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit Blazer Buy Now
Ninja Air Fryer Pro Buy Now
Digital Camera for Photography 48MP Buy Now
Apple Watch Series 4 Buy Now
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Charcoal Buy Now
Women's Striped Summer Vest Top Buy Now
OPOVE M3 Pro 2 Massage Gun Buy Now
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System Buy Now
Blackview MP60 Mini PC Intel Buy Now
EcoSmart Fleece Hoodie Buy Now
Rimless Rectangle Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt Buy Now
AUTOMET Long Sleeve Tee Buy Now
Seamless Racerback Sports Bra Buy Now
SUNGAIT Ultra-Light Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Tracksuits Sweatsuits for Men Buy Now
Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort Jeans Buy Now
Plus Size Colorblock Tank Top Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Robert Stanes: Coimbatore’s Renaissance Man from London

Robert Stanes: Coimbatore’s Renaissance Man from London

The Hindu
Thursday, October 26, 2023 6:35 PM GMT

Robert Stanes, an Englishman who arrived in India in the late 19th Century, left a lasting legacy in the form of the Stanes Group. His philanthropic Victorian values shaped his endeavours in India, ranging from agriculture to transport. He established the first mill, Coimbatore Spinning and Weaving Mills, and helped a vendor acquire machinery to start the Lakshmi Group. Stanes also brought the bicycle to Coimbatore and developed tea estates in the Nilgiris. He also set up two schools, ensuring quality education for all. His legacy continues to this day through the Stanes Group, now in its third generation.

In the annals of India’s colonial history, some remind us of the hard times the country faced. Then there are those who continue to stand as beacons of change. Their contributions to society transcended their time to inspire generations that came after. Robert Stanes, an Englishman who arrived in India in the late 19th Century, is undoubtedly one such luminary whose legacy endures to this day in the Nilgiris and the present-day Coimbatore.

But just how synonymous is the name Robert Stanes with the industrial fabric of Coimbatore, also called the ‘Manchester of South India’? The answer lies in a common retort most people living in and around Race Course Road, Coimbatore’s posh locality, have to offer — “Stanes? Do you mean the company, mill, school? There is everything with that name.”

Stanes was born in 1841 in London at a time when the British Empire was at its zenith. His formative years were influenced by the Victorian value of philanthropy. This early upbringing would shape his endeavours in India, where he arrived in 1861, with the initial purpose of working as an apprentice in a trading company. But destiny had grander plans for him. Having learnt the art of brewing in 1862, he founded the T. Stanes & Co. trading firm in Coimbatore [the ‘T’ denoting Thomas, his father]. What began as a modest enterprise trading in tea, coffee, and indigo soon expanded to a diverse conglomerate, with interests ranging from agriculture to transport. By 1948, Stanes had established five companies, one of which was Stanes Transport Ltd. It was one of the first passenger bus services in Coimbatore.

“Robert Stanes, who established the city’s first mill, Coimbatore Spinning and Weaving Mills, became the inspiration for the famous Lakshmi Mills Company Ltd., founded by G. Kuppuswamy Naidu. In fact, Stanes Mills was also the first to sell tourist tickets for visiting the premises,” said historian and author Rajesh Govindarajulu.

In his book, Friends of the Earth: The Stanes Story, historian V. Sriram writes that a young man supplied high-quality fibre to Stanes and the segregation of cotton from seed was done by bullocks as the vendor could not afford a machine. Impressed, Stanes helped the vendor acquire machinery through a loan from the Bank of Madras. This kick-started Kuppusami Naidu’s successful venture, the Lakshmi Group. Stanes was also invited to Naidu’s wedding and played a significant role in the beginning of the business.

A little-known fact about Stanes, Mr. Govindarajulu said, is how the industrialist also had a role to play in bringing the bicycle to Coimbatore. “Stanes encouraged his secretary William Frazer to introduce the bicycle to the people of Coimbatore. Frazer did so by importing a cycle from England in 1895, and the city quickly took to the newer mode of transport.” The imported bicycles were initially sold for ₹25 in the city. While his name is popular in Coimbatore, Stanes also contributed to the development of the Nilgiris, which he once left reluctantly to set up business. To give Coonoor a modern landscape, he recognised the region’s untapped potential for tea cultivation and established tea estates that put the Nilgiris on the map. “Englishmen began constructing roads in the Nilgiris and were setting the stage for European-style development in the region. This meant there would be an increase in demand for jobs. It is then that the Stanes tea estate played a major role in providing livelihood while making a mark in the beverage market,” Mr. Govindarajulu said.

With the establishment of two schools, one in Coimbatore and the other in Coonoor, Stanes realised his philanthropic dreams. Not only did he lay emphasis on quality education for all but also ensured that “the schools had a regular income by earmarking and settling in trust certain shares of T. Stanes & Co Ltd., thus making them sole beneficiaries of dividend receipts,” writes Mr. Sriram. Today, the Stanes Group stands testament to his legacy. The business continued to evolve and diversify, contributing significantly to India’s economy when Amalgamation Group took it over, with S. Anantharamakrishnan at its helm in 1961. Today, the group is also well into its third generation in business.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
‘Malai koothu’ has evolved, but there’s not much in the art form for ‘koothadi’

Experience the cultural richness of 'malai koothu' in the Yelagiri Hills, a traditional temple dance form rooted in mythology.

Stalemate continues over unified Mass

Tensions rise as factions clash over unified Mass in Syro Malabar Church, leading to protests and police intervention.

More ‘resources and efforts’ required to nurture India-Central Asia links: S. Jaishankar

Efforts to enhance India's connectivity with Central Asia through Chabahar port discussed by External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.

A home production

What awaits gated communities that assume the responsibilities of facility management? There is the possibility of workers becoming trusted lieutenants

Maharashtra government cancels approvals for 903 projects

Maharashtra cancels approvals for 903 development projects to prevent misallocation of funds and pave way for new initiatives.

A pillar and a peak that are held most sacred by the Irula tribe

Discover the sacred Rangaswami Peak and Pillar in Kil Kotagiri, Nilgiris, a site of worship for the Irula tribe.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat seeks Karnataka High Court’s permission to intervene in plea on Thug Life release  

The Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) on Thursday filed an application in the High Court of Karnataka seeking permission to intervene in the petition filed by Raaj Kamal Films International on the issue of releasing Tamil film Thug Life in Karnataka, after controversy cropped up owing to actor Kamal Haasan’s statement that “Kannada is born out of Tamil”.

World Environment Day celebrated in Dindigul, Theni

World Environment Day activities in Dindigul and Theni districts include tree planting, competitions, and awareness programs against plastic pollution.

Old careers continue to remain relevant, say experts

Experts at the webinar on Emerging Careers 2030 highlight the importance of humanities and sciences for future job opportunities.

Bengaluru stampede: BJP demands resignation of CM, Dy. CM and Home Minister on moral grounds

BJP demands resignation of Karnataka government officials after stampede at RCB victory celebrations in Bengaluru.

Dindigul Corporation begins removal of flagpoles installed in public places

Dindigul Corporation removing flagpoles from public places as per Madras High Court orders, cost to be recovered from parties.

Non-working streetlights could hover around 50,000-60,000 in the city

GHMC faces delays in streetlight maintenance as new agency selection process could take up to two months.

High Court for temporary measures to protect Chellanam coast

Kerala High Court addresses sea erosion prevention measures, waterlogging issues, and drainage maintenance in Kochi city.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
T.N.’s non-communicable diseases screening programme for workplaces to now cover small enterprises and offices

Health Department expands NCD screening to small businesses, targeting 6 lakh employees in Tamil Nadu, part of Health Budget initiatives.

The rising challenge of university and college closures Premium

Global higher education faces challenges with rising student enrolment but also closures and mergers, requiring attention and sustainable strategies.

Stalin hands over appointment orders to 1,304 forest staff

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin appoints 1,304 forest personnel, inaugurates research center, and awards environmental champions in Chennai.

BJP is pitted against INDIA bloc in Nilambur: Chandrasekhar

BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that the electoral battle in Nilambur is between the BJP candidate and the INDIA alliance. “There is only one candidate who speaks of development. That is BJP’s Mohan George,” he said. Describing the candidates of the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and P.V. Anvar as part of the INDIA alliance, Mr. Chandrasekhar said that the people of Nilambur had only two options: either to vote for Narendra Modi politics or INDIA alliance politics.

The university versus constitutionally protected speech Premium

Let us celebrate a diversity of opinions as in a vibrant democracy as every opinion counts and the university truly signifies a universe of knowledge

Police officers told not to post photos in uniform on social media 

Tamil Nadu police officers warned against sharing uniformed photos and confidential information on social media and interviews.

People’s convention demands conservation of KAU’s model jackfruit farm 

Protest against transfer of Kerala Agricultural University's organic jackfruit farm to Kerala Veterinary University gains momentum.

Cabinet clears DA hike, Metro Phase 2B expansion and ₹33,000 crore for road development

State Cabinet approves wide range of decisions including Dearness Allowances, Hyderabad Metro expansion, road development, and Health Care Trust establishment.

Govt. intends to increase green cover in State to 50% by 2047: Satya Kumar Yadav

Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav on Thursday said that the State government is aiming to increase the green cover in Andhra Pradesh from the current 29% to 50% by 2047 under the Swarnandhra 2047, through massive sapling plantation programmes.

Maturity shown by political parties amid Indo-Pak tension should continue to ensure nation’s security, growth: RSS chief

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasizes unity, security, and growth post-Pahalgam terror attack, denounces religious conversion as "violence".

Girl from tribal community in Kalvarayan Hills earns her seat in IIT

17-year-old A. Rajeshwari from a remote village in India secures a spot in an IIT against all odds.

MSME parks set to industrialise Andhra Pradesh big time, says Minister Kondapalli Srinivas 

MSME parks set to industrialise Andhra Pradesh big time, says Minister Kondapalli Srinivas. The government is striving to attract entrepreneurs to invest in the State by offering them tailor-made incentives and extending the required support, and the efforts are paying off, he says.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us