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One of the most leisurely strolls I ever had was in June 1994 with Ratan Tata in Paris. We were both in the official CEOs delegation accompanying India’s then Finance Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, to the India Development Fund
meeting of the World Bank. After a long, gruelling morning of a humiliating “begging exercise” for foreign aid, the meeting was adjourned for lunch, and the business delegation was free to take a break.
In his inimitable style, Ratan Tata privately told me that he would skip lunch to go for a walk and invited me and Tarun Das to join. We had the distinct pleasure of accompanying him.
On a brisk 20-minute walk from the World Bank office on Avenue d’Iena to the Eiffel Tower in the Jardins du Trocadéro, we chatted several topics. Thatˋs when Mr. Ratan Tata, in his casual yet captivating manner, revealed his vision of creating an affordable family car for the Indian market. In 1998, Indica, the most modern car ever designed by an Indian company was introduced to the market. Today, the Tata Indica is exported and “Made in India” cars are reality on the global stage.
Over my 44-year professional career, I had the privilege of interacting with Ratan Tata on many occasions – each at close quarters. He was a rare gentleman, and I treasure those meetings.
In 1986 in the historic boardroom of Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group. I was part of a select group of 10 top industrialists from the CII, meeting with the iconic JRD Tata. Ratan Tata, then just 48 years old, had just then, joined the board of Tata Industries Ltd. as Chairman and had also been appointed Chairman of Air India by Rajiv Gandhi. He left an indelible impression on me with his approachable, simple, and clear communication.
Yet another significant occasion was in January 1995 in Calcutta, when I spent an entire day with Ratan Tata who was Chairman of CII Centenary Celebrations Committee.
He and I were assigned to receive and brief Professor Klaus Schwab, President of World Economic Forum, who was the Chief Guest at the CII Centenary celebration. It was a gesture that reflected his humility and warmth. We spent the day together, a time I will never forget.
During my years in Zurich, Switzerland, I had the chance to meet Ratan Tata a few times at Tata Industries Ltd. office in Zug. In November 1993, after JRD Tata’s passing in Geneva, the CII National Council nominated me to attend JRD Tata’s funeral at Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where he was laid to rest in the family mausoleum. Amidst the many VIPs at the funeral, Ratan Tata spotted me. He walked over, held both my hands, and personally thanked me for coming. That was Ratan Tata—always the gentleman.
In June 1985, I was seconded by CII and nominated by Commerce Ministry as India’s representative at United Nations (UNIDO), in Paris, a prestigious diplomatic post usually reserved for Indian Foreign Service officers.
Just as I was settling down in Paris, I received a call from Ratan Tata’s office. Within minutes, he was in a conference call with me and Xerxes Desai, who would lead the Titan project. The call was to discuss a joint venture with France Ebauches, a leading producer of self-winding watch movements. Within a month and several rounds of meetings I arranged, a joint venture agreement was signed. This partnership led to establishment of Titan Watches factory in Bangalore. I am proud to have played a small part in it.
In June 2001, I left CII to join Deutsche Software, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank, as CEO in Frankfurt. When I informed Ratan Tata about my new role, he promptly wrote back, wishing me well.
In 2003, Deutsche Software was acquired by the HCL Group. Ratan Tata, through his Executive Assistant, contacted me and offered a senior position in their London office. Tata Steel had just begun negotiating with Corus Steel, and I knew this could be a career-defining opportunity.
However, I had to politely decline the offer. Relocating to London would have disrupted my daughters’ education. Ratan Tata fully understood and respected my decision. Looking back, if I hadn’t worked for Mukesh Ambani led Reliance as Europe head for 20 years, I would have led the Tata Group, in London.
Our last meeting was at the Ambani wedding. We chatted for about 10 minutes and though he was frail, weak, he still exuded his signature grace. As he smiled and bid me goodbye, I never realized it would be our final parting. Writing about Ratan Tata in past tense is deeply emotional for me. This rare human being will forever remain etched, in my heart.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.