Ratan Tata: A true Indian!

Ever since I was a kid, I have always had some or the other favourite heros that I would look up to. Well they certainly did range from not so great profession to some of the best at what they do. From WWE superstar John Cena to the King of Pop - Michael Jackson, I liked them all. Although the list was long, I won't deny the fact that the list kept modifying every now and then. Some came in as I grew up, while some were left out because I wasn't a kid anymore. From sports, to politics, to entertainment, to public life - I had a big bunch of people to always look up to.

But there were few constants. And that's exactly where the motivation, energy and heart lies. In sports, no matter what, Sachin Tendulkar, Rafael Nadal and Lewis Hamilton will always remain my favourite. While in entertainment, no one will ever be able to topple Michael Jackson from my list.

I remember a fond memory of me talking to my dad about Rafael Nadal and Sachin Tendulkar and A R Rehman and APJ Abdul Kalam; about how they changed the way we looked at certain things, especially life. And whenever I wondered about life I would never ever forget to acknowledge it's biggest friend - death. Although death as a topic has always enthralled me through stories and books and movies; it definitely does scare me a lot too!

I've always viewed death as a 'full-stop' to a life. But I also realize that a 'full-stop' only ends a sentence, not the entire book. The book, metaphorically representing our world, contains billions of sentences—each one symbolizing a human life, and each eventually ending with its own 'full-stop.' Such a book would offer deep meaning and valuable lessons to future generations. Yet, there are certain sentences within it that make you fall in love with the entire book.

Ratan Tata was one such sentence.

Truly, a sentence directly penned by a higher being whom I would call a god. Centuries from now, when our descendants learn about our era, Ratan Tata will undoubtedly be remembered as the most exceptional life ever lived on Earth.

During the time when the late Lata Mangeshkar was hospitalized, I, who had admired her voice throughout my musical journey, found myself praying fervently for her return home in good health. I distinctly recall telling my father, "I hope that God spares her." I even expressed, "I hope that I never have to witness the passing of Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar." Isn't it ironic? Especially for someone who has always recognized 'death' as the ultimate truth of life. But that's exactly what these people have did to us - touch our lives and hearts in a way that you want them around forever. It has already made me hard to digest that my heroes are getting older and the fact that someday I have to witness the passing away of them will always shatter me from core. It's not that we know them personally, or even met them before. But world felt good when Lata ji was signing, Ratan Tata was seen in the news inaugrating a event or supporting a charity or a start up and when Sachin Tendulkar played those cover and straight drives. My life was ok couple of hours ago untill I read the news of Ratan Tata's passing.

My brain took me to those 'n' number of stories that I have heard and read about the empathy, the compassion, the resilience, the innovation, the intigrity, the humility and the best among them all - visionary leadership. Stories of how he skipped an award event hosted by then Prince Charles where he was supposed to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award because one of his dog had fallen ill, will continue to make me think about importance of prioritisng living beings around us than anything else. Then the story of how he had instructed the Taj hotel's management to allow stray dogs inside, in case its raining or not, just showcases his extreme compassion and responsibility towards all living-beings. Then I have seen multiple incidents where he visited his retired ex-employees years after they ceased working for Tata group, showcasing his innate humility and respect towards his fellow ex-teammates who helped him operate the Tata group. Then the most iconic of them whould always be how Tata motors proposal was once declined by a giant automobile company wherein years later Ratan Tata was responsible for helping the same giant automobile to come out of serious financial struggle by buying a luxury wing of their’s only to restore its former glory and make it more profitable. This story was probably the introduction to the word 'savage' for my generation.

And then the story of 'Nano'. He dreamt of a family care, affordable and safe. He did it with such integrity too. But I still feel that we failed to appreciate his vision and turn our heads away from 'Nano' for reasons not very convincing. Yet 'Nano' stands as one of the most iconic automobile masterpiece from India.

The stories of Ratan Tata's contribution to the society of not just India but the whole world will always gives us motivation and energy. It would be really a failed attempt if I try and explain or even note down Ratan Tata's best qualities, skills, contributions, decisions and projects. All I could say right now is -

THANK YOU SIR!

Thank you for giving us the most reliable way of personal and commercial transport. Thank you for establishing and laying the bricks of corporate in India. Thank you for giving us and expanding further - Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Communications, Tata Global Beverages, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Tata Sky, Tata AIG (Insurance), Tata Capital, Tata Teleservices, Tata Housing Development Company, Tata Digital, Tata Consumer Products.

Thank you for showing us what a 'MAN' really looks and walks and talks and thinks like.

Thank you for everything, sir!

The world, indeed won't be the same from tomorrow.

“I believe that if you can make a difference in one person's life, you have made a difference in the world.”