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
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