This is not a tribute! He has had enough of those, some of them so beautifully written. Here are just a few thoughts and some personal recollections!
RNT got the adulation normally reserved for only the biggest Film stars and Cricketers.
Nowhere, Ever, has an Industrialist been idolised, or received this kind of respect and love! I think it is unparalleled in history.
When he passed away last Wednesday, the clocks stopped! India came to a halt and bonded as one in ‘grief,’ as they did in ‘joy’ when Tendulkar was batting.
Why was Ratan so special and so loved?
I think the answer lies in the words ‘Decency, Integrity and humility!’
These are qualities that we assume everyone should possess, but have become so rare and precious, that we are amazed and over-awed by a person who lives by these principles, especially when rich and powerful!
In my opinion, we as a country, missed a trick.
He should have been made the ‘President of India’, No one could have brought more prestige, grace and enterprise to that office.
I never personally met this gentle giant, but there were close brushes that still make for great memories
Once, I saw him at close quarters in Jamshedpur, at one of Tata Sons Senior Directors son’s wedding … it was a lunch affair and RNT had come wearing a Parsi Dugli ( like a soft white Bundgala) and white trousers, It was evident he was wearing this costume after long and his pants must have gotten tight at the waist, so they had been altered, probably for that very occasion. The pants at the back had a brighter white triangle where the waist had been widened! It brought a grin to one’s face to see the man’s frugality as well as his total lack of any pretensions to style.
Also, that afternoon, Even though he was the ‘uncrowned king of the town’ and ‘Boss’ of everyone present, he was happy being treated just like any other guest! He needed nor demanded any special attention. No sycophants surrounded him, He even queued up to get his glass of beer from the bar, like the rest of us!
On another occasion, We had the privilege of making all the furniture for this same Senior Director’s flat in the NCPA building in Mumbai. Our work was well appreciated.
But then soon after, I got a call from the lovely lady of the house. She was concerned…RNT had been over for dinner the night before and while appreciating the work done had commented at dinner that the dining table was about 1.5” -2” too low.
Had we made a mistake?? She asked ,What was to be done ?!
I knew the table height was standard and perfect and assured her that no mistake had been made, But we both agreed that who dared argue with the great man! So, that same afternoon two carpenters were dispatched by train from Nagpur, and the very next day the table height was raised! I assume he was pleased, as there were no complaints when he visited the flat after that.
We also had the privilege of doing the entire furniture and interior work of the Tata Steel guest house in Mumbai, it turned out quite beautiful and Ratan Tata agreed to inaugurate it! We were thrilled and got the place all ready and decked up with flower arrangements etc on D day! I so looked forward to the chance to meet him and be a part of the small exclusive dinner party organised for that evening. Also nervous…suppose he found some fault with the work we had done …or the height of some table not up to his mark?
Unfortunately, RNT felt sick that day and by late afternoon we were informed of his inability to attend, it was a crushing disappointment.
While working on the Director’s flat, I had the opportunity to be alone in his Mercedes with the chauffeur who was a character and a raconteur, He had been with the Tata’s for decades and claimed he had been RNT’s personal driver for some years.
He told me that Ratan had at some point imported a car for the USA, and living in a small apartment with limited parking space had no proper place to park it and was concerned it would get spoilt lying outside. According to the driver it never occurred to ‘Ratan sab’ that he owned the whole damn building and all the other residents were Tata employees who had occupied the many garages that lined up the sides of the building.
He boasted that it was he who convinced ‘Ratan sab’ that at just a word, one of those garages could be vacated for his new car. This was finally done! But evidently the thought had never occurred to RNT!
In an era when we are inundated with stories of excesses, opulence and mind-boggling spending binges, RNT stood out for his simplicity, austerity and class!
He was a true patriot and the last of the great Parsis! He will be so sorely missed.
‘Tata’ is indeed the hardest word!
@bits_of_beauty_everywhere
( # BOBE)