The passing of Ratan Tata has left the nation mourning not just an industrialist, but a rare leader who transcended divides, representing the ‘Idea of India’

The year was 2000 and the list of Padma Awardees sent to the Rashtrapati Bhawan had included a list of super achievers. The scholarly constitutionalist in President K R Narayanan went through each name carefully, as he always did. The list had included luminaries like Pandit Hariprasad Churasia, Prof J B Bhagwati, Rajnikanth, Tarlok Singh etc., but one particular name brought a smile to the face of the otherwise reserved and ultra-correct Rashtrapati K R Narayanan, and it was the name of the-then relatively young, 63-year-old Chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata.

Arguably the most accomplished President ever, with a curriculum vitae of achievements that included recognition as the ‘best diplomat of Indian Foreign Service’, Ambassadorship to countries like USA, China etc., Vice Chancellorship of JNU, 3 consecutive wins as Member of Parliament, posts of Union Minister, Vice President of India, all on merit was no small achievement. Unbeknownst to many, his brilliant journey had the benefit of winds in his sails instilled by the Tata Group, long back! KR Narayanan had never forgotten what the Tatas had done to make its version of the ‘Indian Dream’ – the story from Uzhavoor in Kottayam to the Rashtrapati Bhawan had an unmistakably selfless, generous, and humble hand of the Tatas.

The topper from his school days who overcame unimaginable tribulations of financial and social nature fought against all odds and with the timely aid of the Travancore Royal family. In 1944, KR Narayanan was helped immeasurably by the Tata Scholarship to pursue his obvious genius in economics, politics and journalism at the London School of Economics – it was just the academic break that the precocious talent needed, and the rest as they say, is history.  JRD Tata had heeded a recommendation letter stating that Narayanan had secured an MA at Travancore University, ranking first. He further noted that he achieved the distinction after surmounting many personal obstacles. Ironically, there was yet another name in the 2000 Padma awardees who  had a Tata hand in his own life story, the illustrious scientist, RA Mashelkar. Given his financial hardship, he too would attribute a large part of his success to the “Tata scholarship of 60 rupees per month for six years that helped me study”.

He conflated his own story to that of KR Narayanan’s, “Both of us were Tata scholars. We both left India, only to return when we were fairly young with a zeal to do more for our homeland”. The surreal moment was described by Mashelkar, “Padma Bhushan, was bestowed on both me, a Tata scholar, and Ratan Tata, head of the house of Tatas. By whom? President Narayanan, another Tata scholar. This was the best endorsement of President Narayanan’s remarks about moving from the ‘side-lines of the society to the hub of social standing’.”

As President Narayanan’s Military Secretary, I was responsible for protocols et al, and I distinctly remember the President telling me that presumably Ratan Tata knew of the Tata connection in Narayanan’s life, yet he had never sought any favour, consideration, or familiarity, out of any sense of entitlement. Always one for puns with languages, he suggested fondly that perhaps the Tata leaders were not ‘Captains of the Industry’, but more befittingly ‘Generals of the Industry’.

As one from the ‘Uniform’ and knowing Narayanan personally, I knew immediately that the remark was not about seniority (ranks) but about leadership, inviolable values, and personal integrity, which is asked of an individual, as she/he is in a position to walk-the-talk. Much before expressions like affirmative action, corporate social responsibility or corporate trusteeship were defined – Tatas were already doing the same, with no vested interest, whatsoever. It was always about a larger purpose. It is with this sense of immutable responsibility that Ratan Tata stepped into the shoes of the legendary JRD Tata, who had been passed the baton by Nowroji Saklatwala and Jamsetji Tata. The silent dignity, grace, and magnanimity of the typical Tata way of doing things were upheld and reinforced by Ratan Tata – in his passing, the nation lost its most loved son and the ‘Idea of India’ its finest exponent.

The passing away of Ratan Tata has also exposed just how poor (in leadership) we have suddenly become. In wounded and polarised times of bitter conflicts between the realms of majority-minority denominations, capitalist-socialist societies, agrarian-industry priorities, and white collar-blue collar dimension – it is ironic that Ratan Tata was never ascribed to be working for a restricted denomination.

His death showed what a colossus he was, whose loss is felt by all. He was unbelievably above all possible ‘divides’ that beset a 5000-year-old civilisation and democracy called India.

Today there are many leaders of political parties, communities, regions, corporations and even perhaps of causes – but none who can be said to be a leader of the inclusive and caring ‘Idea of India’. In such desperate times, his passing away has also inadvertently posited the relevance of ‘humility’ and basic ‘decency’ that is so sadly missing in the national discourse. So, there may be leaders or even ‘Captains of Industry’, but ‘General’ of Leadership (and beyond) – absolutely none. Ratan Tata was the last of the knights, a first-rate hero. 

(The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry; views are personal)