An avid participant of motor racing, including the Himalayan Rally in early 80’s revving away in his Premier Padmini, one of Hemant Kanoria’s most ardent desires was to acquire a Nano painted by Bose Krishnamachari, a much renowned admired artist.
Kanoria munificently shelled out a handsome (15 lakhs at the time) to SaffronArt for the petit Nano. Not just because it was the first hand painted art car in India, but more so because the Nano was Mr Ratan Tata’s pet project for securing the masses in India.
A huge admirer of Mr Ratan Tata and who he embodied as human being when he first met him in the 80’s, Hemant Kanoria ensured he was one of the first few to own the Nano as an ode to the late Tata.
This acquisition led to Kanoria meeting Mr. Tata heralding with it memories and learnings that would last a lifetime. “He had so much to share, so much wisdom wrapped in humility,” remarks Kanoria.
Amidst the art and innovation, and an India 1st innovation, there he was—a titan of industry, yet so incredibly down-to-earth.
Hemant Kanoria himself, is a self-made man, a CMD of a manufacturing business, Bharat Containers P Ltd. He started working at age 16, as in his words, “I was no good in studies and always interested in some or the other activity. So I barely managed to do a B Com.” Fifty Three years on (since 1971), his company manufactures Aluminium Aerosol cans widely used by the FMCG and Pharma industries. “We employ around 500 people. Some of our customers include Fogg, Denver, Old Spice Wildstone, Gillette in the personal products category and Moov and Volini in the Pharma sector,” adds Kanoria.
Like the true blue hard working business community of this great city, Kanoria admits to his inability to sit idle and or sit and read a book. “Our family runs a Girls school, started by my grandfather, and now sponsored largely by me. It offers free education for girls right up to the 12th standard. Madan Mohan Kanoria Balika Inter College at Farukkabad, is proud to support young ladies who can look forward to multiple opportunities, where they would have had little to none.
His passion for stacking up cool collectibles, be it art, watches, pens, jewellery or cars, led up to Hemant Kanoria’s tryst with the late Ratan Tata.
Says Kanoria, “Our 1st drive in that car was special and will always be. The achievement of building this – an India 1st innovation, plus the thought behind why all his might was put behind building this car will always inspire me.
One thing I regret? Not taking more photos.
Not for the likes or the shares, but for the personal memory—a keepsake of an encounter with someone who profoundly inspired me.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson:
Don’t let life’s fleeting moments slip away unnoticed.
Be approachable regardless of stature.
If there’s one thing we can learn from Mr. Tata’s legacy, it’s to be present, to listen, and to value the connections we make.”
