After Ratan Tata died last week, many poured in their condolences recalling the great businessman Tata was. But at the same time, several people shared anecdotes of the late industrialist’s humble and down-to-earth nature. Industry stalwarts, including Infosys‘ Narayana Murthy, shared several stories of their interactions with the billionaire, focusing on how beloved Tata was.

In a recent post, N Chandrasekaran, the chairman of the Tata Group, shared a picture of him sitting alongside Tata on a bench, with a heartfelt note expressing how “there really was no one like him”. 

Chandrasekaran said that their relationship developed over the years, initially revolving around business and gradually evolving into a more personal connection. They discussed various interests, from cars to hotels, but when their conversations shifted to everyday matters, he demonstrated how much he observed and cared. He was someone to be discovered gradually, through time and shared experiences, Chandrasekaran said.

Sharing an instance from when he joined the company, the chairperson said he was introduced to a situation at Tata Motors that involved a dispute between the company and the employees' union regarding wages spanning two years.

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“In March ‘17, Mr Tata and I met the union leaders together. During the meeting, Mr Tata relayed three messages: he regretted the delay in finding a resolution. He explained that the company was going through hardship. And both of us committed that this dispute would be concluded within a fortnight,” Chandrasekaran said.

Tata’s focus was firmly centred on ensuring that employees were well taken care of, not only to resolve the dispute but also to safeguard their well-being and that of their families. His perspective on employees was consistent across other Group companies and has influenced many leaders throughout the Group, he added.

He shared another story when Chandrasekaran suggested renovating the headquarters, Bombay House, which was untouched since 1924. As he proposed the idea to Tata, he had just one question- "Where will the dogs go?"

The dogs were an integral part of Bombay House, often seen at the reception. Chandrasekaran told Tata that a kennel would be built for them. Upon the completion of the renovation, the kennel was the first thing Tata wanted to see.

“He was very happy to see how thoughtful the kennel's design was, and how well the dogs would be cared for. Seeing his happiness with the kennel and his priorities was a reminder that while big projects are important, it's the details that reveal how we think, what we prioritise, and how we are perceived,” the chairman said in his post.

Reflecting upon his memories with the late philanthropist, Chandrasekaran said that his memory was photographic. If Tata visited a location, he could recall every detail, from the arrangement of the smallest piece of furniture to the lighting and colours. He remembered the covers and content of books and magazines, often referencing them years later. 

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