Mr. Tata never forgot his ethics and values

This was a man who, like Buddha, transformed himself to achieve the impossible and be an inspiration for many generations to come, says business thinker Mudit Jain.

IMAGE: The then chairman of the Tata group, Ratan Tata, speaks at the annual general meeting of Tata Steel in Mumbai, August 28, 2008. Photo: Arko Datta/Reuters

Like millions of Indians, I did not know Shri Ratan Tata personally, but I felt a personal loss at his passing.

I met him a few times at events, but interaction was limited. But I still felt a connection with him because he was very relatable and friendly.

Shri Tata’s achievements are legendary and have catapulted the Tata group into an Indian multinational, but so too is his benevolence and humility.

After the terrorist attack on the iconic Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, he set up a trust to take care of not only Tata employees, but also their families and all those affected by the terror attack, by bearing the costs of medical treatment and education for the children. whose parents died in the tragedy.

IMAGE: The then Tata group chairman Ratan Tata stands next to the company’s new Indica car at its launch at the Auto Expo in New Delhi on January 9, 2008. Photo: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

So who is the real Ratan Tata, stripped of titles and power? He himself says that he was a shy boy at school who was bullied by his classmates when his parents divorced, which was unusual at the time.

He felt guilty going to school in a big car, while other boys took the school bus and were not as privileged as him.

Raised by his grandmother, Lady Navajbai, she shaped his character and his values ​​and Mr. Tata credits her for becoming what he is.

Mr. Tata was also very frugal in his habits as his parents were not ostentatious and this trait has stayed with him ever since.

Mr Tata left a happy life in the US to return to India to take care of his ailing grandmother and in the process broke off his engagement to an American lady as she could not come to India.

Although he had a few relationships afterward, nothing resulted in marriage and he remained a bachelor who was happy in the company of his two dogs. All these incidents must have made Mr Tata as humble, empathetic a person as he was.

IMAGE: Then-Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata during an interview with Reuters at his Mumbai office, July 11, 2003. Photo: Sherwin Crasto/Reuters

His journey to the top job as Chairman of the Tata Group was not an easy ride despite being groomed and nominated by Shri JRD Tata.

He had to fight his way with the entrenched satraps who led many Tata companies and emerged tempered and ultimately victorious during the trial by fire.

This developed his leadership skills and he took bold decisions to acquire companies abroad and also rapidly expand in India by modernizing Tata Steel and taking Tata Chemicals and Tata Tea global.

His visionary leadership led to the Tata group’s sales being 65% international and 35% local, making him a global industrialist covering many geographies around the world.

The journey from a shy, introverted boy to a world leader has been one of turmoil and struggle, which is inevitable, but the exemplary phenomenon is that Mr. Tata did not forget his ethics and values, which makes this truly remarkable.

The Tata brand is the largest and most recognized brand worldwide for its philanthropy, and this is in no small part due to the imprint of Shri Ratan Tata.

This apparent paradox is what really makes Shri Ratan Tata stand out among his peers because despite not following the rules, he achieved immense success, making his journey incomparable to that of his peers.

IMAGE: Then Tata group chairman Ratan Tata with then Tata Consultancy Services CEO S Ramadorai, seen after the inauguration of TCS’s new headquarters in Mumbai, August 14, 2007. Photo: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

The nation has lost a great humanitarian, but Shri Tata’s rich legacy lives on through his companies and the lives he touched both directly and indirectly.

This was a man who, like Buddha, transformed himself to achieve the impossible and be an inspiration for many generations to come.

Rest in peace sir, you truly deserve it, but may you, like a Bodhisattva, come back to help humanity take the lead with your honorable deeds.

Like a true Parsi, you lived your life by good thoughts, good words and great good deeds.

Job Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com