Ratan Tata, Shantanu Naidu friendship can be described as the bond with the best. Lovely Prabhani explores how the two connected over dogs and then their loyalty towards their work and commitment towards society has scripted an inspirational story for all…
Dogs are said to be loyal companions but who would’ve thought that dogs could bring two companions together who are loyal to each other. Yes we are talking about the friendship of two people, Ratan Tata, a renowned industrialist and Shantanu Naidu, who became his assistant, after two connected and then made a great bond in a short span of time.
Shantanu had sent a letter to Ratan Tata and it’s a history thereafter.
No one thought that sending this letter would bring a lot of difference in one’s life.
Shantanu being a dog lover, had an initiative about the canine. He was unable to continue it because it required a lot of money. However, instead of dropping his idea, he tried hopelessly and sent a letter to Ratan Tata, and unexpectedly he was called for a meeting with him regarding the same concern.
Slowly and gradually, they worked and experienced a lot of things together which led Shantanu to a thought of writing a book about his experience with Ratan Tata. He not only shared his industrialist’s side but also his perspective about him. The book was named, ‘ I came upon a lighthouse’.
Shantanu Naidu, being a young entrepreneur, author and a deputy general manager of Tata Trust came into the limelight just after he pitched his startup plan with Ratan Tata, about motopaws.
The initiative was for situations like in the nights when the streets plunge into darkness and you have to navigate through the night haze. As you drive, a stray dog suddenly surfaces in your headlights, and all you try to do is stop or turn and hope for the best. The solution is simple: make the dogs glow so that they can be seen at a distance by the driver.
Being a dog lover, Ratan Tata loved the initiative quoted by him and his empathy for dogs led to this unexpected friendship.
Going with the saying ‘Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old’, he identified Shantanu’s beautiful heart and ideas with whom he adores this friendship, irrespective what age they both are of until they share same interests and same goals.
Ratan Tata in fact left one and all surprised including Naidu on ‘His graduation day’.
While having a normal conversation Naidu had told him about his graduation day, Ratan Tata went all the way to US to meet him on his Graduation Day. Naidu was surprised and happy to see him. But the connection that was seen here was quite unexpected, as who would’ve thought things could go this way!
Recently, Ratan Tata invested in Shantanu’s startup Goodfellows that aims to help the elderly by pairing them with young and educated graduates for meaningful companionship. This startup will offer support and friendship to the elderly. Ratan Tata said about the Goodfellows – India’s first companionship startup for senior citizens, “The bonds between the two generations created by Goodfellows are very meaningful and are helping to address an important social issue In India. I hope the investment helps the young team at Goodfellows grow.”
Ratan Tata said he would be delighted for this Goodfellows service to grow and mature into something which changes people’s lives with innovation.
Here is a video of Ratan Tata’s birthday in the year 2021 when there was no lavish party or big celebration for Tata Sons chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata. He rang in his 84th birthday on 28 December with a cupcake and a candle, brought by Shantanu Naidu, a young employee of Tata group whom Tata has mentored in the past years…
