At the age of 86, Ratan Tata, who was beloved by many Indians, unfortunately passed away on October 9, 2024. As the legendary business magnate passed away, he left behind a legacy that will live on forever.
Ratan Tata was celebrated not only for transforming the Tata Group into a global powerhouse but also for winning hearts with his kindness and altruism. However, did you know that this 86-year-old had a 28-year-old close friend? Yes, you read that right! A man, who belonged to a traditionalist generation, developed a bond with a millennial. We’re talking about Shantanu Naidu, the youngest general manager at Tata Trust and Ratan Tata’s trusted assistant.
Who is Shantanu Naidu?
Maharashtra’s Pune is the hometown of Shantanu Naidu. In 2014, Naidu went to Savitribai Phule Pune University for his further education, where he graduated with a degree in engineering. His career began when he completed his engineering degree and got hired as an intern at Tata Elxsi, one of Ratan Tata’s firms. He attended Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management to get his MBA after graduating, where he performed exceptionally well in a variety of leadership positions.
How Did Ratan Tata and Shantanu Naidu Develop Such a Close Bond?
Ratan Tata’s closest friend from the millennial generation was Shantanu Naidu. The 30-year-old, in an interview, even referred to Ratan Tata as a “Millennial Dumbledore.” Their bond began when Shantanu was working as a design engineer at Tata Elxsi in 2014. One day, Shantanu saw a dog lying lifeless in the middle of the road, which broke his heart. His love for dogs inspired him to do something for stray dogs. That’s when he came up with the idea to design a dog collar with reflectors. However, raising enough funds for the project became a challenge for Shantanu.
At this point, Shantanu’s father encouraged him to write a letter to Ratan Tata. Initially hesitant, Naidu finally wrote the letter and received a response two months later. Soon after, Naidu, along with one of his friends, went to meet Ratan Tata in Mumbai. When the industrialist asked how he could help with the project, the two friends resisted the urge to ask for immediate financial assistance. Nevertheless, Ratan Tata later invested in Shantanu’s venture, which became what Naidu calls a “Ratan Tata-backed startup.”
Over time, their friendship deepened, and they developed a beautiful bond.
From 2018 onwards, Naidu served as Ratan Tata’s manager, handling various responsibilities and initiatives under Tata’s guidance. Shantanu Naidu also owns a business which goes by the name Goodfellows. His business aims to provide assistant to elderly in their later years. His company reportedly has a net worth of Rs 5 crore.
Shantanu Naidu Expresses Grief Over Ratan Tata’s Passing
Taking to LinkedIn, Naidu shared a touching picture of him and Ratan Tata and wrote, “The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
Ratan Tata’s legacy will continue to inspire us all.
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Source: India.com
