When Ratan Tata sprang to life in a Hoshiarpur farm

Ahluwalia, a big admirer of Ratan Tata, recalled how he met his biographer, the Mumbai-based Mathew, at a Chandigarh literature festival and invited him to his farm stay. “I never had the good fortune of meeting Ratan Tata in person, but I have always admired him from afar, one reason I became part of the Taj group, and I thought we must celebrate his life and legacy.”

Harkirat Ahluwalia (left) with the author Dr Thomas Mathew. (Express Photo)

Over a hundred attendees, including book lovers from Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, along with Hoshiarpur locals and MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, listened intently as Mathew shared anecdotes from Tata’s life.

A former Kerala-cadre IAS officer who spent over four years researching the book, Mathew described Tata’s difficult childhood—his mother walking out of the marriage when he was just seven, leaving him to face ridicule when she remarried. “He was ‘outclassed’ and often made fun of,” said Mathew. But Tata learned early to work hard. His professors and friends at Cornell all said he never flaunted his pedigree and put in more effort than anyone else.

On his business ethics, Mathew called Tata “a fiery capitalist with the heart of a socialist.” Recounting a defining moment, he said a senior Tata executive had once called Tata for advice when asked to pay a small bribe for a multi-crore deal. “Tata simply asked why he was even calling—there was no question of paying anything.”

Mathew also highlighted Tata’s staggering achievement—growing the conglomerate by over 6000% during his tenure. The crowd erupted in applause when he recounted how Tata struck back at the empire by acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover, despite British banks refusing him a loan.

Mathew also dwelt upon Tata’s passion for flying, his dogs, and simple life. “His dining table doubled as his study table, and I would often find him eating a meal with his cook’s daughter.”

Harkirat Ahluwalia, who plans to make such book readings a biannual affair, called the evening his tribute to a man who should inspire future generations. “All I can say is that he deserves a Bharat Ratna.”