India mourns the loss of Ratan Tata, one of the nation’s most revered industrialists and philanthropists, who passed away late Wednesday at the age of 86 following a brief illness. The former Chairman of Tata Sons had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital earlier this week due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. He was in critical condition in the ICU before succumbing on Wednesday.
Among those grieving the loss is Tata’s trusted assistant and general manager at Tata Trusts, Shantanu Naidu, who shared a moving tribute to his mentor on LinkedIn. Naidu, 30, who was regarded as Tata’s closest aide, wrote, “Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
Naidu’s post, which accompanied a throwback photo of the two together, expressed the profound void left by Tata’s passing. “The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill,” he added.
Tata’s death has been mourned by several business leaders, including Anand Mahindra and Harsh Goenka, who acknowledged the significant contributions Tata made to Indian industry and philanthropy.
Naidu, born in Pune, first connected with Ratan Tata in a unique way. After completing his engineering degree in 2014, followed by an MBA from Cornell University in 2016, Naidu began his career as an automobile design engineer at Tata Elxsi. His innovative project to address dog fatalities on roads, by designing reflective collars, caught Tata’s attention.
A dog lover himself, Tata invited Naidu to discuss the idea, marking the beginning of their close friendship. Over time, Naidu grew into a cherished figure in Tata’s inner circle, with Tata often treating him like a son, despite having no children of his own.
Shantanu Naidu’s heartfelt tribute reflects the depth of their relationship, one that went beyond a typical professional bond, offering a glimpse into the personal connection the two shared. Naidu’s grief is echoed across the country, as India bids farewell to one of its most iconic business leaders.
