Some interesting facts about Ratan Tata!!!

Ratan Tata, the man is back in the limelight again with the sudden removal of Cyrus Mistry, the Chairman of the Tata Sons. Now he is back at the helm again, though temporarily. But still the fact that he is back means a lot to us. Working at the Tata Consultancy Services, I always rued the fact that I missed joining the company a year late, to work under the ‘True Indian’ that Ratan Tata is. But now with him back and taking the charge once again, I can proudly tell everybody that I have worked under Ratan Tata. Something I will cherish for my entire life.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the interesting facts about this great personality -

(i) Troubled childhood - His childhood was not spent in the best of the circumstances. His parents had separated when he was just 7 years old. He was raised by his grandmother then, from where he has risen to this stature. Talks about the personality that he is.

(ii) Education background - Ratan Tata studied in some of the best colleges and schools. He studied at Campion School - Mumbai, Bishop Cotton School - Shimla and Cathedral and John Connon School - Mumbai, Cornell University - New York and Harvard Business School.

(iii) Rejected an offer from IBM - After completing his education, he received an offer from IBM, 

which he willfully rejected to join the family business. Tells about the high value he puts on the legacy of the name of his family.

(iv) Rose through the ranks - He joined the family business and didn’t assume a top position just like that. He worked his way to the top really. The fact is that he was worked as a blue-collar employee in the Tata Steel till 1971.

(v) Donations in the education sector - The Tatas are known for their charity. True, but the donation that they make in the education every year, is something to write about. They have provided $25 million to Cornell University (for the Indian students), and $50 million to Harvard Business School. Apart from this they also do maintain IISc, Bangalore and TIFR.

(vi) Owns a Ferrari California - During his free-time, he is seen driving his Ferrari California in Mumbai. It has to be mentioned here that in spite owning the Tata Motors, he has not shied from trying a different brand. Speaks of the free man that he always is.

(vii) He is a keen aviator - Like J. R. D. Tata, he is also a keen aviator. He holds a pilot’s license and reportedly often flies the aircraft that the Tata group owns. He is also the chief advisor on the AirAsia India board. During the Air Asia - Tata deal, he flew AirAsia group chief Tony Fernandes to New Delhi for a meeting with the then Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on the clearances for AirAsia India. Multi-talented he is!

(viii) Travels in economy class - He always travels in economy class, making himself one of the most humble living legends, we have amongst us.

(ix) Took the Indian Auto industry to newer heights - With the challenge to maintain the Tata Motors in the competitive market, he set new records by acquiring the British legends - Land Rover and Jaguar. He also made possible the manufacture of the cheapest car in the world - Tata Nano. He thus led an automotive revolution in India.

(x) A True Patriot - The love he has for the motherland is unmatched. Of course, the facts that come to light about this, will make you respect him even more. I will mention the facts here -

• Tsunami Crisis - As told by R K Krishna Kumar, former Director of the Tata Sons, in 2004 when tsunami struck India, Ratan Tata was not in town. As soon as as he heard the news, he immediately came back and arranged for an emergency meeting with the CEOs of the various companies to ensure that something can be done for the people affected. That was the beginning of a project that was started and which manifested itself in a major reconstruction programme in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, an area devastated by the tsunami.
• 26/11 Crisis - After 26/11, the effort that Tata put for the employees and the common people is something everybody knows. (I will elaborate this)
• Humanitarian Trusts - Everybody knows 65 % of the entire share of the Tata Sons is owned by various charitable trusts. So they give back to the society and society means people and people means country. (I will elaborate this)

(xi) His encouragement to young entrepreneurs - He has always been there for the young entrepreneurs and has never shied away from investing in them - Ola, Paytm and Snapdeal, to name only a few. The present Startup Culture couldn’t possibly ask for a better guide.

(xii) Awards and Recognitions - He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He has also been bestowed with the 'Most Excellent Order of the British Empire' in 2009. This is apart from the other honors he has received from the various universities and governments across the world.