By Vivek Pattanayak in Bhubaneswar, October 14, 2024: Men may come and men may go but some will leave behind an indelible mark for posterity to remember. One such person was Ratan Tata who received effusive tributes in India and abroad when his passing away was announced in the media. In my long civil service career, I had interacted with many top Tata executives starting from Russi Mody, when Tata Sponge based on indigenous technology were established in the eighties.

I came to know, however, Ratan Tata when he was appointed as the Chairperson of Air India as a part of exercise made by forward thinking prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi to restructure the statutory corporate behemoths like Air India and Indian Airlines to induct private sector management expertise. Indian Airlines similarly was led by Rahul Bajaj.

As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation I was appointed as a member of both the Boards. Ratan Tata was also Director of Indian Airlines. In addition, in both the Boards there were many other eminent industrialists, businessmen, professionals and media people drawn from private sector and non-government organization. Air India also had Rahul Bajaj, Gautam Khanna,Vivek Bharatram and Ms. Latif on the board. Indian Airlines had wide spectrum of stalwarts like Pratap Reddy, Ajit Kerkar, Sharmila Tagore and Shobhna Bhartiya.

Style of Ratan Tata in conducting meetings was distinctly different from other private sector or joint sector companies with which I had been associated in the past. In the first place he would come fully prepared and have complete knowledge on each agenda, having studied the papers in detail. He would encourage the Managing Director to make comprehensive presentation of papers and invite comments and questions from each member and give special attention to the views of the Government director. Exchange of views between him and others who came from private sector was interesting and illuminating.

Even when he would differ it would be clear that it was based on sound judgment and cogent reasons expressed in a very dignified and elegant manner. One thing was very clear that he would follow all the rules and regulations respecting that Air India were established under a special law like Indian Airlines. Integrity was his hallmark and transparency was his motto.Most distinct quality was his ability to convey to political authorities on matters relating to the government policy or otherwise in no uncertain way being conspicuously frank without mincing words but however with utmost courteous manner. He enjoyed tremendous respect of all the top executives of both airlines for his outstanding human qualities, remarkable humility, and stoic simplicity.

His reputation travelled beyond the precincts of India particularly when TCS made headlines in North America.Such was his image that my colleague in International Civil Aviation Organization, Mahammed Elamiri from Morocco, Director Air Transport Bureau wanted to use my good offices to persuade Ratan Tata to accept digitization work of the organization.Needless to mention that TCS left a fabulous reputation in Montreal.

Pauline Marois, former Premier of Quebec had requested me to speak to Ratan Tata to set up an industrial project in Quebec. His enthusiasm to go beyond India remained unabated and fructified with acquisition of Anglo-Dutch Corus and British Jaguar and Land Rover.

Most spectacular venture of Ratan Tata was Indica, a car built entirely in India with no foreign collaboration including design and technology.What could have been better example of self-reliance (now called Atmanirbhar Bharat) which was being championed for decades since independence.

His Nano project was a dream come true endeavour.From our childhood since early fifties, we heard about Janata car affordable by commoner.Nano demonstrated unmistakably that this was achievable. Interestingly, my former Secretary General called me from Brazil to congratulate Ratan Tata having produced a car at such a low cost.

I had maintained all through a very cordial personal relationship with him from the time both worked on the Board of Air India .He would drop in my office to discuss something related to air service or safety issues and would not mind sharing lunch with me which I would have brought from home.Once after meeting the prime minister on a tense issue of autonomy of Air India, he came down straight to my house in Vinay Marg and had typical Odia snacks prepared by my wife. He always behaved like a commoner. Not an inkling of pride one could detect.

He was undoubtedly a philanthropic industrialist who has created a legend for himself by his superior conduct in public domain. For thousands of executives whether in private or public sector he remained as an icon.He would remain as a beacon light to give guidance to young for generations to come. May his noble virtues remain immortal.