Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected industrialists, was known as much for his humility as for his vast accomplishments. A magnificent chapter in the history of Indian businesses came to an end with his demise on October 7, and tales that portray his modest behaviour are still spoken in a positive way. Recently, on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Amitabh Bachchan shared one such cherished memory that offers a glimpse into Tata’s down-to-earth nature.
At one point, Bachchan recalled, he was flying to London with Tata. During the trip, the two legends had a friendly conversation but Tata was put in an odd position when he landed at Heathrow Airport. He had no way to contact his reception team because they were nowhere to be seen. Tata went to the nearest phone booth—only to realize he didn’t have cash for the call.
Without hesitation, Ratan Tata turned to Amitabh Bachchan and said, “Amitabh, can I borrow some money? I need it to make a call.” Bachchan was surprised at the irony of Ratan Tata, a major business leader, asking for pocket change. Tata's laid-back personality made him incredibly likeable. Bachchan smiled and gave him the cash, delighted and moved by his friend's simplicity.
Viewers were delightfully reminded of Tata's warmth and authenticity when Amitabh shared the touching narrative with KBC guests R Madhavan, Farah Khan, and Boman Irani. In a world that often prizes wealth and power, Tata’s grounded nature stood as a testament to his character.
At Ratan Tata’s last rites, a large crowd gathered in the sweltering heat, including business leaders, politicians, Bollywood stars, and ordinary citizens, all there to honor his many acts of kindness.
Many individuals have considered Ratan Tata's values especially his commitment to family and community, after his passing. His will showed that he was committed to helping others by purposefully distributing his estimated Rs 10,000 crore fortune to friends, relatives, coworkers, and even his pet dog. Under Noel Tata, Ratan Tata's tradition of charity will endure reminding us that generosity is the key to real success.
