Ever seen the doyen of an industrial empire like the Tatas do the following:
- Use a van for commuting to the Club instead of a limousine?
- Sit in the front seat with the driver instead of the rear seat in the van?
- Take his dog for a walk everyday himself?
- Greet the other walkers with a smile?
I was fortunate to have seen Mr Ratan Tata first hand do all of the above almost everyday at the United Services Club, Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1991 or so. By then he had taken over as the Chairperson of Tata Group. I was then in the Navy and posted in Bombay.
He used to walk his dog around the golf course in the evening after sunset. By then the golfers were done for the day. But many times, the last fourball would still be on the fairway when Mr Tata would arrive in the van and get down with his dog and start walking in the Club. Some of us who were finishing the golf round, were fortunate to meet and greet Mr Tata on the golf course. Not once but several times. A humble and shy person that he was, he would avoid the stream of walkers on the promenade by the sea. Instead he chose the quieter solitude of the fairways in the fading light. Such was his persona.
The above routine went on till 2005 and many members of the Club would have seen him walking his dog. Thereafter he discontinued coming to the Club and members may not have had the opportunity to see him there.
Since his demise yesterday, tributes have been pouring in. After seeing him multiple times in the Club, I would like to add that he was an embodiment of simplicity, grace, humility, empathy, care, nation-first and many such values. He inspired us with his down to earth personality. Unlike many other business and political leaders, he walked the talk. Truly.
Today we salute him for what he and the Tata Group have done for India over last 130 years or so. Mr Ratan Tata was a great son of the soil who took pride in being an Indian and always put 'Nation-first' in his thinking and practice.
Jai Hind.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 10th October 2024
#ratantata #sonofthesoil #nationfirst #proudtobeanindian #walkthetalk #employeesmatter #businessadventurer #nationbuilding #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh
For us who were fortunate to work in a Tata company, he gave us code of conduct to walk in and the Tata Excellence Business Model (based on the US MBNQA model)
ReplyDeleteRemember all this very vividly Sir. One on the greatest souls to have walked amongst us all.
ReplyDeleteA rich tribute from the heart for a philanthropist loved by the Universe. A rare Gem (Ratan).
ReplyDeleteTrue jijaji. Son of the soil.
ReplyDeleteYes. He had been the real life HERO of India. A great man with a simple life style. I was to join telco Pune but preferred DRDO.Nice to read your experience and meeting.
ReplyDeleteHarsh - you are one of the fortunate few who had a chance to meet him. He was truly someone who embodied the virtues and principles that many of us can only aspire to. A remarkable life spent in the service of others. If there is a definition of servant leadership it should read - see Ratan Tata. Thank you for your tribute.
ReplyDeleteI am fortunate that I have met you Harsh who had met Ratan Tata.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
Delete
ReplyDeleteHe was aTrue Gem in human body.
I am very sure that God must be really happy to have Mr Tata with him.
God bless his soul with eternal peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks Sangeeta.
DeleteMr. Ratan Tata was a role model for everyone, a bench mark and guide.
ReplyDeleteThough he has left us physically, but he and his legacy will continue beating in everyone's heart.
An Industrialist in real sense, a real human.
Jai Hind
Amen. Jai Hind.
DeleteExcellent tribute by Harsh.A titan of Indian industry with enormous contribution and earning respect from all quarters.Fully grounded,full of humility and nationalist to the core.
ReplyDeleteA rare personality embodying all characteristics of a great visionary leader.
Thanks for echoing MS.
DeleteThough I never had a personal contact with him, but doing audits of TATA Companies - one could feel the honesty, humbleness of employees percolated throughout the companies. He touched every one’s life.
ReplyDeleteAs they say, God does not make Industrialists any more like him.
Sadgati
Great observation Capt Jindal. Thanks
DeleteRajan and l too have seen him walking with his dog at the USO club, just like everyone else.We respected his privacy. No airs and graces, very simple and down to earth.. Mr. Ratan Tata is so inspiring in his achievements, his humility and his leadership and nation building and teamwork efforts. A role model for all to aspire to. May India raise up more gems like him, he is rare, and one of a kind. We , India and the world will miss him. ❤
ReplyDeleteThank you Harsh for your post . 🙏
Thank you Trixie. He was larger than life!
DeleteI am at loss of words R.I.P
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThanks.
DeleteRatan Tata was Anmol Ratan of Bharat. Even though he was not bestowed with the honor of Bharat Ratn, he will always remain Bharat Ratn in our hearts❤💞.
ReplyDeleteHis deeds will definitely make him rest in eternal peace.
Om Shanti 🙏🙏🙏
Amen
DeleteAmen
DeleteYes, Ratan Tata was a very simple person. I happened to meet him once at the Delhi airport when departure lounges used to be flight specific & small. I wished him & he smiled & waved back. We are proud of him
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Vinod Dhanuka
Sometime in 2006, he knocked on the knuckles of US Club for not adequately caring for pets. The content of that letter shows that he can be assertive and firm too. Ramnath
ReplyDeleteOne of a kind! A great loss to the nation and mankind.
ReplyDeleteA fitting tribute indeed. Truly is it said in the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata:
ReplyDeleteफलेन प्रवृद्धाः शाखाः पतंति अधः शीर्षाः
The branches of a tree laden with fruit bend downward. It's top lowered
A wonderful tribute which echoes my thoughts too . Such an inspiration ...and hoping many young and not so young leaders see this as an inspiration too .
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to learn from his life as you have beautifully written in the first few lines ! Thank you for sharing.