Shantanu Naidu, a close aide of the late Ratan Tata, shared a deeply emotional farewell to his mentor and friend following the industrialist’s passing at 86 on October 9, 2024. Naidu, who serves as the general manager at Tata’s office and is the founder of the Goodfellows startup, took to LinkedIn to express his grief, referring to Tata as his “dear lighthouse.”
In his tribute, Naidu wrote, “The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love.” The post reflected the bond that the duo shared, which extended beyond work, rooted in a shared love and concern for dogs.
Naidu, who is the fifth generation of his family to work with the Tata Group, was seen riding a Yezdi motorcycle out of Tata’s residence, leading the procession that carried Tata’s mortal remains. Tata’s body was taken to the National Centre of Performing Arts in Mumbai before being moved to Worli for a state funeral.
Ratan Tata, who was born in Mumbai in 1937, took over the Tata Group in 1991 during a period of significant economic reforms. Under his leadership, the conglomerate expanded globally, acquiring brands like Jaguar and Land Rover. After stepping down, Tata focused on philanthropic ventures, contributing to various social causes and supporting startups.
Shantanu Naidu’s tribute highlights the personal and professional bond the two shared, a relationship shaped by mutual respect and shared values.
