Page 12 - SeniorsToday October
P. 12
been quite substantially, due to the bold As an employee of a top advertising
and aggressive steps taken by Ratan Tata communications company, which had
during his 20-odd years, between 1991 several Tata companies as its client, one has
and 2012, at the helm of the Tata Group been closely exposed to their impeccable
(the reins were handed over to him in respect and regard for a professional point
1991 by the equally, if not more venerated of view, however different from theirs, and
JRD Tata who passed in 1993) , starting integrity of dealings. As a co-founder of a
from the economic liberalisation in early tech startup, it has been a pleasure and a
1990s and becoming a global player by comfort to have a Tata company as a key
national and international acquisitions, business partner. As a consumer of their
notably Corus Steel (which proved to be a several salt-to-software brands, it has been
drain, as subsequent events showed) and nothing but an experiential joy. The Tatas
Jaguar (a remarkable success) and a slew quite literally assure, bejewel, care, connect,
of others across frontiers. His Nano small deliver, drive , ensure, feed, insure, lodge,
car project fulfilled his promise of wheels treat and nearly do everything else to make
to the poorer and aspirational sections at our lives better.
affordable prices. Come to think of it, he More than their omnipresence,
sunk in billions to get it up and running, performance and philosophy, what kept me
all lead by his heart, only to see it getting fascinated about the Tata group over the
closed later for financial prudence’s sake. decades, was the philanthropic objective of
His mentorship and investments in select the Tata Sons, the holding company of the
startups in his sunset years are noteworthy group, in which the Tata Trusts own a near
for their support of entrepreneurship, 80 per cent. The trusts plough back almost
much needed for our country. all their profits and wealth into the society
for social upliftment, healthcare, education,
cancer treatment, geriatric care, farming
and irrigation, food and water, sanitation
and anything else that one can think of.
Several of the NGOs, with whom I have
been involved closely over the years have
had and continue to have the Tata Trusts
as their loyal donors for worthy causes.
The other day, I read a lovely and generous
tribute by the founder of one of these NGOs,
of how he was encouraged and enthused
by Ratan Tata, when he was beginning his
ride in the social space as a fledgling 21.
Volumes can be written about the Tata’s
empathetic and sensitive investment in
public good and it would be impossible to
put a value to it. Suffice it to say, it will be
Aganita or Ananta or infinite. In my simple
With Indica. Photograph: @ratantata on Instagram lexicon, anyone who does any good, big
12
