Who is Ratan Tata's young friend Shantanu Naidu?

Ratan Tata recently backed a startup named 'GoodFellows', aimed at providing companionship to the elderly. It's an idea concocted by Shantanu Naidu, a staff member of Tata's office. Highlighting loneliness as a common issue, especially in old age, Tata emphasized that people can't comprehend loneliness till they experience it.

A photo capturing Ratan Tata celebrating his 85th birthday alongside a young man also swept across the internet. Tata was pictured with a 28-year-old man, stirring curiosity among viewers. The man was, in fact, Shantanu Naidu, Tata's General Manager and the founder of the stray-dog-startup, Motopaws. Naidu, alongside his colleagues, innovated glow-in-the-dark dog collars designed to help drivers spot dogs from a distance, significantly reducing vehicular accidents. Ratan Tata is known to share a unique bond with the young entrepreneur.

Shantanu is Also the author of Book 'I Came Upon a Lighthouse: A Short Memoir of Life with Ratan Tata'

Link of Book

About Shantanu's Book

An endearing portrait of an Indian legend

I told him that when I write a book, I would write about another side of him and not just historic events or business milestones. I would write about us and our adventures together, and how I saw him, colors and shades of him unknown to the world. Life beyond the great steel wall of 'industry doyen'.

He agreed. 'There cannot be one book that captures everything ... So you do your thing, give your perspective.'

Their common empathy for homeless dogs ignited an improbable friendship. In 2014, Shantanu Naidu, a budding automobile design engineer in his twenties, fashioned an ingenious solution to protect local stray dogs from falling victim to speeding vehicles. Aware of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata's well-known compassion for these animals, it was no surprise when Naidu's initiative caught his attention. Tata was not only impressed enough to invest in the project, but over time, he evolved into a mentor, superior, and, quite unexpectedly, a cherished friend to Shantanu.

I Came Upon a Lighthouse is an honest, light-hearted telling of this uncommon bond between a millennial and an octogenarian that gives glimpses of a beloved Indian icon in a warm light.

Video of Shantanu with Ratan Tata

How Ratan Tata Met Shantanu?

In 2014, Shantanu Naidu, an automobile design engineer at Tata Elxsi in Mumbai, became determined to protect dogs from road accidents after witnessing a distressing incident. He developed glow-in-the-dark dog collars with his friends to help drivers detect the animals and prevent accidents.

Many requested glow-in-the-dark collars from him, but lacking funds, he planned to quit. His father suggested asking Mr. Ratan Tata for help. He wrote a letter without expectations and surprisingly was invited to meet Mr. Tata, who was so impressed with his work that he visited him and became a friend.

Tata at Shantanu's Graduation Day

Ratan Tata funded #Motopaws, a social initiative started by Mr. Naidu. Despite Naidu leaving for the USA to attend Cornell University, same as Tata's alma mater, their bond strengthened. Naidu informed Tata about his graduation, and was shocked when Tata travelled to the US for it.

Upon his return to India, Mr. Tata contacted him once more and conveyed the magnitude of tasks awaiting him at his office. He extended an invitation to Mr. Naidu to serve as his assistant. Still reeling from the unexpected course of events, Mr. Naidu took a moment to collect himself before responding with an affirming, "Yes."

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