Among those mourning the passing of business tycoon Ratan Tata, who died at the age of 86 on Wednesday night, was a young man on a bike leading the hearse on its final journey. That man was Shantanu Naidu, one of Tata’s closest aides and his trusted assistant. Though less than half of Tata’s age, Shantanu shared a deep bond with the industrialist that transcended generations.
The pair first met in 2014 when Shantanu began working for the Tata Group. Over a decade, their friendship blossomed into something unique. Upon hearing the news of Tata’s demise, Shantanu penned an emotional tribute: “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 we pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
Their Connection Rooted in a Love for Animals
A fifth-generation Tata employee, Shantanu initially captured Tata’s attention through his passion for animals. He had started designing glow-in-the-dark collars for stray dogs to prevent road accidents. In need of funding to grow his initiative, Shantanu wrote a letter to Tata, hoping for support. To his surprise, two months later, Tata personally responded, inviting him to Mumbai to work alongside him.
Their shared love for animals strengthened their connection. Together, they helped launch Shantanu’s venture, Motopaws, which focused on animal welfare. Shantanu also started Good Fellows, a company that connects young people with the elderly, inspired by his fondness for the older generation. Reflecting on this, Shantanu said, “I don’t know when it began, but I’ve always had a sense of affection for the elderly. Many of my friends have silver hair and gold hearts.”
A Promise Kept
Though their bond was strong, Shantanu eventually had to leave India to pursue his MBA in the US. However, he promised Ratan Tata that he would return and work for him after completing his studies. True to his word, upon graduating, Shantanu accepted a role as Tata’s assistant and became the youngest person to manage the Tata Trust. In a touching gesture, Tata even attended Shantanu’s graduation ceremony.
A Unique Friendship
Their relationship went beyond work. In a BBC profile, Shantanu shared how they spent time together doing everyday activities like watching movies and even getting haircuts. Shantanu also set up Tata’s Instagram account, where the industrialist shared nostalgic pictures and photos of his beloved dogs.
The two enjoyed action-comedy films such as The Other Guys and The Lone Ranger, but Tata’s favorite series to binge-watch was Fauda. Shantanu affectionately called Tata “Millennial Dumbledore” for his wisdom and youthful spirit, reminiscent of the iconic Harry Potter character.
During the pandemic, Shantanu published his first book, Came Upon A Lighthouse, based on the life lessons he learned from Tata. “He’s been a hard boss, a core mentor, and a true friend,” Shantanu shared.
Their bond was a testament to the profound connections that can form across generations, built on shared passions, mutual respect, and love.
Rishi