Renowned industrialist, philanthropist and former chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, on Saturday strongly disapproved of a campaign launched by a motivational speaker on social media, rooting for Bharat Ratna award for him.
A day after Dr Vivek Bhindra, a motivational speaker, launched a campaign on twitter making a case seeking bestowal of the highest civilian award him, the veteran industrialist – in a brief statement put out on his twitter handle – asked the social media campaigner to discontinue the campaign.
“While I appreciate the sentiments expressed by a section of the social media in terms of an award, I would humbly like to request that such campaigns be discontinued,” 83-year-old Tata said, as he took exception to then #BharatRatnaForRatanTata #RequestByDrVivekBindra launched by the motivational speaker.
“Instead I consider myself fortunate to be an Indian and to try and contribute to India’s growth and prosperity,” the former Tata Sons chairman said.
In his campaign that he had launched on twitter seeking Bharat Ratna for Ratan Tata, Dr Bhindra had tweeted: “A well-renowned philanthropist, @RNTata2000 has always believed in giving back to society. We confer the countryRs s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna for Ratan Tata. Join us in our campaign #BharatRatnaForRatanTata #RequestByDrVivekBindra”.
Along with his tweet, Dr Bhindra had put out an image and quote of Tata. Tata’s quote read thus: “Business Need to go beyond the interest of their Companies to the communities they serve”.
Dr Bhindra’s tweet elicited instant support from the twitter users. While one twitter user KL Yadav said: “An honor to the gem of India sir @RNTata2000
The real hero of our nation”, the other one by Tapasvi Mishra read: This legend deserves the #BharatRatna more than anybody else......Sir Ratan Tata true gem of India”
NeitherTata himself nor Tata group had ever tom-tommed about the philanthropic work done by them. It may be recalled that soon after the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country Tata had in April last year pledged Rs 500 crore towards manufacturing of personal protective equipment, respiratory systems, testing kits, setting up modular treatment facilities and training of health workers. Tata Sons had also announced an additional support of Rs 1 ,000 crore, taking the total commitment to Rs 1,500 crore.
“The COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race... At this moment, the need of the hour is greater than any other time,” Tata had tweeted then, along with a statement put out by the Tata Trusts.
A recipient of two of the highest civilian awards of India Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2000), Tata is the chairman of the Tata Trusts that are among India's oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations that work in several areas of community development.
