October witnessed the passing on of an era, marked most of all, by both humility and generosity, both shared with abundance and consistently, as a lifestyle and spirit statement on the man himself. None other than Ratan Tata, a name that had come to embody the natural art of ‘giving’.
His career was marked earlier with a few upsets, made a few mistakes, that only made him more human. Not once did he flinch, steadfast in his demeanour, always the same, the self-effacing gentleman that he was.
‘If only words, it’s words that all I have”. Yet, words do not suffice, best is to observe his greatness in silence and adulation. And, most of all, for a people so given to ostentation, to imbibe the spirit for which Ratan Tata stood. It is in humility that we will achieve greater good.
The baton of the Tata empire has passed onto his half-brother, Noel Tata who has been, in the meanwhile, playing a relatively quieter and passive role. Accomplished in his approach to business, he is known for keeping an equally low profile as his late brother; though people in the know, suggest him to be more conservative. Companies in his portfolio have done exceptionally well. It is too early to say, but over the ensuing months, one could expect some new directions.
Meanwhile, coming out of the mourning stage, the group is steadying itself to uphold the ideals and dreams of the its late chairman, who will eternally remain the ‘ratan’ of Indian industry and corporate responsibility. As one of the prime proponents and supporters of the Made in India, only a few days ago, India’s first private sector aircraft manufacturing facility was inaugurated, where 40 C-295 aircraft will be made, as a collaboration between Airbus of Spain and Tatas.
