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Farewell Ratan Tata!
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The curtain came down on the career of one of the most illustrious of Indian industrialists when Ratan N Tata called it a day on December 28, 2012 and handed over the baton of leadership of the Tata Group to Cyrus Mistry
It goes without saying that Ratan Tata was too many things to many people and he would always be remembered for upholding the strong ethics and principles of the Tata Group laid down from founder Jamshedjee Tata’s tenure from over a century ago. His single-minded ability to make the Tata Group flourish in a hostile and at times intemperate climate in the country marks him out as truly one of great modern day nation-builders the country has seen. Ever since the time he took over from his uncle, the late great J R D Tata in 1991, it had always been an uphill task for RNT for he was always compared – unfairly I think, to be just like his illustrious uncle.
Secondly, he had a vision which was to take the Tata Group into uncharted waters and that necessitated a major change in the way the group operated. He had to battle strife from outside and within the group but he did so admirably in his own soft-spoken but firm manner. Seeing off labour trouble in the Telco plant (as Tata Motors was earlier known) was his first baptism with automotive fire but this is what many should have learnt from – his absolute conviction in doing things the right way.
I first met him in mid-1992 if I remember correctly, at the roll-out of the Tata Sierra and Estate in the Pune plant and had my first interaction with him then. It was also a moment to cherish for he was there with J R D alongside him and there and then one could see at least one key aspect of the Tata way of doing business had been well passed on: the sheer humility with which he came across was something which has stayed intact to this day. From there on we met often on many an industry platform and also whenever there was a product launch. I remember his vision even in the early 1990s of making Tata Motors a complete car maker with a well rounded portfolio.
What the world sees of the Indica (the first all-Indian automobile ever), the Indigo, the Nano and what have you is only a minuscule aspect of his automotive dreams. The energy and the impetus he brought to bear on giving the country its very own indigenous automobile, the Indica, was magnificent and to say that the Indica achieved its objectives way over anything the millions of detractors wished for, was his way of just going about his business. The Nano might not have got the numbers, a failing on the marketing aspect and a positioning problem to boot, but there is no denying its rightful place in history as a very frugal and lean yet mighty effective design for the 21st century, something which has got the world’s major OEMs hastening to build their own versions, albeit in suitably improved form for their respective markets.
I also remember his vision in the early 1990s when he thought about all Indian domestic car makers pooling together to set up an engine plant which could supply everyone with the basic engine that individual OEMs could then tune and tweak for their respective applications. He obviously had the PRV6 in mind which was a joint engine programme by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo and which helped all three massively.
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Readers' opinions ( 8 )
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Vish
There are few people in our country who inspire such great admiration within and outside... As an ex-Tata employee, I know a little bit more about this outstanding gentleman who has brought name, fame and glory to our country through his ethical and competent leadership. Hats off to you Sir, and may India see many more of your kind.
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RS Margam
When you took over without much fanfare my dad was a new employee at a Tata firm (now part of TCS) . He was fiercely loyal to the values that TATA stood for. I did not understand then but I do now. When we were at Cornell University last year,we were shown around the campus and the Nano on display at their Science Centre, with extra love by a senior alumnus because they were terribly proud of you, and because I was your countryman. Thank you SIr, for being someone who brought us so much recognition and respect. We shall celebrate your accomplishments by running the extra mile - doing the right thing just as you did, even when no one was looking!
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Parshuram Gautampurkar
It was, in fact the Ratan Tata , who fulfilled the dream of an Indian common man of owning his own, a four wheeler within his small budget. And so it was the reason that Nano with all it`s all version became so popular. It has enabled a common man to go with his family together in one vehicle that too of dignity.RT`s vision to set up a common engine program was also a sort of new invention which proved fruitful to four wheeler automobile vehicle manufacturers.P.Gautampurkar,Sawai Madhopur,Rajasthan
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H. Dadlani
A very well earned farewell to you Shri Ratan ji . Though Cyrus may not be able to fit into your shoes , I'm sure that you have set such a goodmark in India ( and Pune, of course ) that will never be forgotten for decades .All the Best . We hope you do enjoy yr retirementwith family and friends.
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Luc Adriaenssen
Please allow a non-Indian to join in the concert of admirers and well-wishers.I had the enormous privilege to meet Mr Tata on four occasions, which I count as the most impressive of my modest career.Thank you for that, thank you for being the model you are for millions of your country-men and for me.God bless you Sir.
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