As the date changed to 10 October 2024, The whole nation mourned to the passing of ‘The Titan’, The Great Indian Industrialist and Philanthropist, Ratan Naval Tata. A beacon of integrity and ethical leadership who imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories.

Dedicating today’s review to the legend.

The Story Of Tata, by Peter Casey is a story of the man, Ratan Naval Tata who overcame extraordinary obstacles and whose compassion took priority over business profit objectives, uniquely achieving both goals. Casey also shows us an intimate side of Ratan Tata, the reclusive industrialist and innovator.

The insiders of the Tata businesses open for the first time in front of the author, to tell the story of its humble beginnings as a mercantile company to its growth as a successful yet philanthropic organization.

In this book, the author, Peter Casey brilliantly builds the portrait of this dedicated man with a vision beyond wealth creation. He captures Ratan Tata’s life in great detail, his upbringing, his education and also his relationship with past stalwarts of Tata. Casey follows Ratan Tata’s career at Tata very closely, the several challenges he faced and business lessons that can be learned as a result. The chapter where he covers the 26/11 incident adds to the enormous respect we have towards Ratan Tata and awe about his wonderful organisation.

Casey also highlights Tata’s single-minded focus which emerges from his childhood experiences due to the separation of his parents. Casey tells how his grandmother remained a constant inspiration in his life and his vision was honed by the time, he spent in America as a student at Harvard University and Cornell University. Staying in America made him independent and ambitious, and also taught him the value of a free economy with equal opportunities for all. He also paints a poignant portrait of a child and young boy who seemed lonelier than most and carried a rather large burden of legacy.

The Story of Tata, is certainly is a worthwhile read to understand the thinking of a business tycoon and his family that goes beyond ostentatious wealth gathering.

©️Sheetal Pradhan Deshpande