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Journalism of Courage
Ratan Tata, renowned industrialist and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away on Wednesday at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital at the age of 86, leaving the country in mourning. News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media from celebrities and political figures alike, all sharing heartfelt memories of their encounters with him.
X user @LotusBharat dedicated a post to Tata, recalling him as “a very down-to-earth” individual who would always take time out to chat with kids in the neighbourhood. The user shared some memories of Tata from the time when she was his neighbour in Colaba. “He used to live next door in Bakhtawar and would religiously walk his two Doberman dogs every evening in his shorts and T-shirt. Would spot him sometimes at the US club playing tennis and having chai,” she wrote in her post.
“A gracious and chivalrous gentleman, that’s the memory I have of this legend,” the user wrote.
Another X user shared a story about catching a rare sight of the national icon when he first arrived in Mumbai. He described how he spotted the business tycoon stepping out of his car alone, without any entourage or security.
Abhishek Deshpande, a former neighbour of Tata, fondly remembered the billionaire’s evening routine of walking his two dogs. Deshpande shared that when Tata noticed him reaching out for a handshake, he paused the walk to have a conversation.
“It reminds me of the 1st time I met Ratan Tata when growing up in Mumbai. He was on his regular evening walk with his dogs in the United Services Club in Colaba. How down to earth can one be, when he saw I wanted to shake hands with him, he stopped, talked to me about my school,” he wrote in his post.
