India loses its Ratan: Bombay house won’t be the same again

 

In recent years, the public image of Ratan Tata underwent a transformation-—from debonair industrialist on the world stage, every bit the tycoon smoothly negotiating boardroom battles and ambitious global takeovers, to an adorable old uncle. That’s when the dogs took centrestage. When he opened an Instagram account five years back, on October 30, 2019, he confessed: “I don’t know about breaking the internet, but I am so excited to join you”.

And the second post, three days later, showed him and his beloved late dog Tito, whose 14th birthday it would have been.

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This style was perfect for social media. It made people feel Tata was talking directly to them. It was perfect to endear him to a new generation. And, of course, the dog sealed the deal, since animals are one of the easiest ways to go viral. Almost instantly he gained millions of followers.

Also Read: How Ratan Tata impacted millions beyond the boardroom

But why was Tata on Instagram at all? Few corporate leaders of his generation ever got on social media. A few may have dabbled with the far more direct engagement of X (formerly Twitter), with the aim of engaging in public debates, but that wasn't Tata's style. He probably did have had professional help, but his Instagram page really did seem like that of a favourite uncle. Some old pictures from when he wa ..

Instagram's quality of communicating, but not quite connecting, seemed to suit Tata. His defining quality in his later years, but possibly right from the start, was a loneliness at the centre of immense action. This isn't quite the same thing as being a loner, since that term has been co-opted by mavericks and the self-consciously eccentric, and Tata always seemed too conventional, even proper to go down that route. He seemed at a slight remove from things, but slightly sad about it-and this was ..

Instagram's quality of communicating, but not quite connecting, seemed to suit Tata. His defining quality in his later years, but possibly right from the start, was a loneliness at the centre of immense action. This isn't quite the same thing as being a loner, since that term has been co-opted by mavericks and the self-consciously eccentric, and Tata always seemed too conventional, even proper to go down that route. He seemed at a slight remove from things, but slightly sad about it-and this was ..
Perhaps this loneliness had always been with Tata, but the circumstances of his taking over as chairman of the Tata Group must have reinforced it. At a distance of over 30 years, it's easy to forget what a chaotic public drama it was-and perhaps now it can be suggested that Tata's revered predecessor, JRD Tata, deserves some blame for not making it easier. The older Tata was such an iconic figure in his time-and seemed to revel in that status, as his successor never did-that making the criticism ..

Perhaps this loneliness had always been with Tata, but the circumstances of his taking over as chairman of the Tata Group must have reinforced it. At a distance of over 30 years, it's easy to forget what a chaotic public drama it was-and perhaps now it can be suggested that Tata's revered predecessor, JRD Tata, deserves some blame for not making it easier. The older Tata was such an iconic figure in his time-and seemed to revel in that status, as his successor never did-that making the criticism ..

The TISCO drama was eventually sorted out, though not without destroying the once promising career of one of Mody's favourites-from which Tata may have learned not to put any executive in such a position. He would have several people within the company he trusted-and many who worshipped him-but he remained at a polite remove from really close relationships. The other satraps were eased out in less public ways and the restructuring of the group began with the sale of Tata Oil Mills (TOMCO) to Hin ..


The battle broke out almost at once with Russi Mody of TISCO, who made no secret of his disdain for the new chairman, even trying to install two of his own senior managers in positions of power at the steel giant. It is hard to believe the prime minister getting involved in any corporate succession today, but on May 27, 1992, the Times of India reported that PM PV Narasimha Rao met with JRD and Ratan Tata to talk about the TISCO imbroglio.


This sale was heavily criticised at the time for undervaluing TOMCO, though today it's possible to see it as a quick, clean exit from a business that no longer seemed core for the group. It is hard to reconcile Tata's later life image as a corporate sage with the kind of criticism he had to face in the 1990s. The group's shadow on the corporate sector was so much larger then and, freed from JRD's aura, it clearly suited a new breed of aggressive corporate reporter to tear at the younger Tata-pro ..


The other type of media interest Tata attracted wasn't any easier to deal with. The 1990s saw the first boom in celebrity journalism and the relatively young, dapper looking head of the group was an obvious source of interest. Tata had to deal with endless questions about why he wasn't married or whether he had ever wanted to be. He dealt with these with dignity, but it still didn't stop prurient and entirely unsupported rumours floating around, even to the point of being suggested in sleazy Bol ..