Shantanu Naidu, the youngest general manager at Tata Trust and a trusted aide of Ratan Tata, expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of the esteemed Indian business magnate with a poignant farewell post that stated, “Grief is the price to pay for love.”
The venerable industrialist and former Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, passed away late Wednesday at the age of 86, following a brief illness. He had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Monday due to a sudden drop in blood pressure and remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn tribute, Naidu reflected on the deep bond he shared with the national icon. “The void this friendship has left in my life will be one I will spend my remaining years striving to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goode, my dear lighthouse,” wrote the 30-year-old, accompanied a nostalgic photograph of the duo.
Ratan Tata’s passing marks a significant loss for the nation, eliciting mourning from prominent figures in the business community, including Anand Mahindra and Harsh Goenka. A towering figure in both industry and philanthropy, Tata’s legacy will undoubtedly endure.
Born and raised in Pune, Naidu earned his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014. He later pursued a Master’s in Business Administration from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, graduating in 2016.
Naidu commenced his professional journey as an automobile design engineer at Tata Elxsi in Pune. In May 2022, at just 29 years of age, he began his association with Ratan Tata, which soon thrust him into the public eye. This newfound attention stemmed from a viral video showcasing him celebrating Tata’s birthday, which endeared him to the tycoon’s admirers nationwide.
Though Tata never married or had children, he embraced Naidu as a beloved member of his inner circle, treating him like a son.
During his time at Tata Elxsi, Naidu identified a pressing issue regarding canine fatalities caused speeding vehicles. Inspired to make a difference, he developed the concept of “collars for dogs” designed to enhance their visibility on roads at night, especially in areas lacking streetlights.
To garner support for this innovative initiative, Naidu penned a letter to Tata detailing his business proposal. In a remarkable turn of events, Tata not only responded positively but also extended an invitation for a meeting to further explore this visionary project.