In a heartwarming tale of friendship and inspiration, Shantanu Naidu, a 30-year-old from Pune, has shared the profound impact that the late industrialist Ratan Tata had on his life. Following Tata's recent passing, Naidu expressed his grief in an emotional tribute, vowing to spend his life attempting to fill the void left by his mentor and friend. But how did this unexpected friendship come to be? Shantanu Naidu, born in 1993 into a Telugu family in Pune, has always been driven by his passions.
With an engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University and an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, he began his career as an automobile design engineer at Tata Elxsi. However, it was his love for dogs that ultimately led him to Ratan Tata. In 2014, Naidu was profoundly affected by the sight of a stray dog’s body on the road. As a dedicated dog rescuer, he felt compelled to take action. Inspired by the need for better visibility for stray animals, he and friends developed the 'Caller Reflector,' a collar designed to help drivers see dogs from a distance. Shortly after, Naidu received a call that the reflector had saved a dog’s life.
This sparked interest and recognition for his innovative idea, but funding to produce the collars was lacking. On the advice of his father, Naidu wrote a letter to Ratan Tata, who is known for his compassion towards animals. To his surprise, Tata responded positively and arranged a meeting. “I was stunned when he told me he was impressed by my work,” Naidu recalled. This meeting marked the beginning of their close friendship, with Tata later financially supporting Naidu’s initiative. As their bond grew, Naidu made a significant decision. He chose to leave his job at Tata Group to pursue further education abroad, promising Tata that he would return to work at Tata Trust. Upon completing his studies, Naidu received a call from Tata offering him a position as his assistant.
“I couldn’t believe my luck,” Naidu said, reflecting on the opportunity to work alongside someone he regarded as a mentor and a friend. Naidu fondly describes Tata as a "superhuman," expressing gratitude for having found a mentor, friend, and boss in one person. “At that time, I couldn't believe my luck. Because I got all this in a superhuman named Ratan Tata. People call him Boss, but I call him Millennial Dumbledore,” he shared in a 2018 interview with 'Humans of Bombay.'
As the world mourns the loss of Ratan Tata, Shantanu Naidu’s story serves as a reminder of the power of friendship, mentorship, and the profound impact one individual can have on another's life. Naidu's commitment to honoring Tata's legacy through his work continues to inspire many, ensuring that the spirit of their unique friendship will live on.