India’s most revered industrialist, Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, at the age of 86. The iconic business tycoon, known for his transformational leadership of the Tata Group has left behind a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come. Yet, beyond his professional achievements, an unlikely bond between a man of the traditionalist generation and a millennial has captured public interest. The philanthropist had forged a close friendship with 28-year-old, Shantanu Naidu, the youngest general manager at Tata Trusts and Ratan Tata’s trusted assistant and a close confidant.
Who is Shantanu Naidu?
Shantanu Naidu, originally from Pune, Maharashtra, became one of Ratan Tata’s most trusted associates and youngest general manager at Tata Trusts. Naidu graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University with a degree in engineering in 2014 and later pursued an MBA at Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, where he honed his leadership skills.
His career began as an intern at Tata Elxsi, one of Tata’s companies, where he first caught the attention of Ratan Tata.
The Bond Between Ratan Tata and Shantanu Naidu
In an interview, Naidu once described Tata as a “Millennial Dumbledore,” illustrating the deep admiration and affection they shared. Their friendship began in 2014, when Naidu, then a design engineer at Tata Elxsi, designed a dog collar with reflectors to prevent road accidents involving stray dogs after witnessing a tragic incident.
Struggling to secure funding for the project, Naidu’s father encouraged him to reach out to Ratan Tata. Hesitant at first, Naidu wrote a letter to Tata, who responded two months later. This marked the beginning of their relationship. Tata supported the young engineer’s initiative, eventually helping to launch what Naidu called a “Ratan Tata-backed startup.” Their bond grew from there, as Naidu became not only Tata’s mentee but also a close friend.
In 2018, Naidu began working as Ratan Tata’s assistant, overseeing various projects and managing several initiatives under his guidance. Naidu also founded Goodfellows, a company dedicated to providing companionship and assistance to the elderly, which has a reported net worth of Rs 5 crore.
Shantanu Naidu’s Tribute to Ratan Tata
Following Tata’s passing, Naidu expressed his grief in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn. He shared a poignant photograph of himself with Ratan Tata, writing, “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 to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
Also Read: Goddess Kali Crown Gifted by PM Modi Stolen from Bangladesh Temple
