Talking of Tatas

During later parts of 20th century when India was toiling under abject poverty handful of richmen were often referred to as Tatas, and Birlas. As the years passed by we understood that Tatas were some thing more than being richmen to India. The name Jemshedpur sounded more than just a steel factory to most Indians. It ushered an industrial revolution to India. Many more "Temples of India" as dreamt by Jawahar Lal Nehru were rather inspired by Tata steel factory, paving way to many heavy industries in new born democracy . Many more industries of the group incubated by it's legendary mother made India proud. These industries always did much more than just commerce, generally followed with good town ships to it's employees providing every possible benefits imaginable. The large chunk of their gains went to philanthrophy made headway to many institutions which contributed much to science and technology.Persuing their new business ambitions in late eighties, their T.V. ads highligting their contribution to sports which spoke "We also make steel" was truely piece of brilliance, unforgettable.

Much revered JRD Tata a distinguished figure in the Tata's clan was an icon to the Indian industry. Being the first man with aviation certificate in the country, his passion for flying laid foundation to Air-India. JRD, a man with dignity and vision had many genuine, well thought over solutions to national issues which should have been followed by our leadership with ingenuity.

In a country which was literally entangled in it's own worst license raj and red tapism, almost rendering it impossible to run a business in fair lines, Tatas somehow sustained perseverently . Not withstanding their huge business size they always had a clean image, and committed to ethical business. They were the most respected business houses of India ,though they lost their numer uno place to many others, who emerged later very strong with occassional tainted records. But it had not sent any jim-jams to them, they never frenaticall ran with sudden felt greed. They kept on forging ahead with their cool.

Nomination of Ratan Tata, who was then heading a black sheep "Nelco" in Tata's group, as a sucessor to JRD came as surprise to many. Not so flamboyant, media shy , silent Ratan Tata did not remain so silent in his later parts of his tenure. Many companies floated later like Tata motors, Tcs, Tata Telecommunications did not fail to show his dynamism. He never believed in blabering and never boastful . For company of it's might, albeit it's a clear cutting edge, a sudden tryst with global aquisitions like Corus going little over board, I think is showing signs of strain. Newly aquired brands of Jaguar and Land Rover still have to go some way to make a dent into the market . A painful decision of pulling out of Singur to the stake of Rs.1500 crores not only costed dearly to him but also caused demoralisation as he pronounced" A promise is a promise" at the iaugural function of Nano. How many politicians do really believe in sticking to promises ?

The Taj Mahal Hotel built by Jemshtji Tata near Gateway of India, symbolic of self pride of an Indian, stood almost like monument for decades . The mayhem of Bombay terror reduced the heritage building to ashes in some parts, and is painful sight to many, and one can imagine what would have gone through Ratan Tata. Very sensible and dignified statement "Taj will be re built inch by inch " is kind of reassurance to the people of the nation about their abilty to with stand any kind of belligerence . I think many political leaders failed to give kind of assurance to the people and breath confidence into their tattered psyche.

They are more than just business men to India. It is in bad taste if they are treated and belittled as rich business men constantly engineered with profit ribbon cutting . They are the people who consciously participated in building of the nation from the forefront. We have to regard them as very important milestones in this nation's archive.