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Ratan Tata would personally respond to any letter or email sent to him, Dr P K Grant, chief cardiologist and chairman of cardiovascular services and managing trustee at Ruby Hall Clinic, said.
“All Parsis love cars and particularly the vintage ones. My bond with Ratan Tata also stemmed from the design of a car,” he told The Indian Express while recalling a specific incident where he alerted the industrialist more than a decade ago about certain issues with the Tata Safari.
“I would regularly get a copy of the UK magazine Car and there was an article about some issues related to the Tata Safari. I was extremely concerned and immediately shared the article with Ratan Tata, who was really grateful. He responded that he would look into the problems,” Dr Grant recalled, adding that he would get an immediate response to his other emails and letters as well.
Prof Shernaz Cama, founder and director of Parzor Foundation, a not-for-profit that works towards preserving Parsi-Zoroastrian culture, described it as a very touching gesture on Ratan Tata’s part to personally respond to any letter that was sent to him.
“I was very touched when he responded to my letter on the terror attack at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. He wrote back with deep gratitude and compassion for those who had suffered and lost loved ones,” Prof Cama told The Indian Express.
She also spoke about his support for the Parzor initiative for the diaspora youth from its inception over 10 years ago. “He spoke with our Return to Roots youth from all over the world at the Bombay House and many remember it as one of the highlights of this 15-day programme,” Prof Cama said.
She also recalled the time when Ratan Tata was able to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Everlasting Flame International Programme in March 2016 at Parliament House in New Delhi. “It was the largest ever gathering of all those involved in Zoroastrian culture and heritage and Ratan Tata was a very special guest,” she added.
Pune-based Chartered Accountant C R Luniya, sharing his love for cars, recalled the time when he bought a Tata Nano and how he was lucky to have it from the first lot. “It was a jewel and so many people would stop at the signals or at the parking lot to look at the car. However, the car, when it was developed, had no mirror on the left hand side. I wrote an email and got a reply from the firm at Bombay House that they accepted my grievance and would soon affix the mirror at the window. This was possible only due to faith in Ratan Tata,” he said, while saluting the legend. “We have lost the jewel Ratan but he will be remembered by everyone in India and across the world,” Luniya added.
Dr Y K Hamied, chairman, Cipla Limited, recalled the time when he first met Ratan Tata in 1948. “I was in Cathedral school in Mumbai. He was a kind and considerate human being, always soft-spoken. Ratan will be remembered for his leadership, his sense of purpose, his contribution to society and more. For me, he remained a true and trusted friend all his life and I will continue to fondly cherish memories of the time we spent together,” Dr Hamied said in an official statement issued on Thursday.
