Ratan Tata, one of India's most revered industrialists, was affectionately nicknamed the 'Millennial Dumbledore' by his assistant, Shantanu Naidu, who began working closely with Tata in 2018. The heartwarming story behind this unique title began long before, in 2014, when Naidu, then a design engineer at Tata Group, launched a project to protect stray dogs.
The Birth of a Unique Friendship Naidu was inspired to help stray dogs after witnessing a tragic accident involving one. With the help of friends, he designed collars fitted with reflectors, making dogs more visible to drivers at night. This initiative, called Motopaws, quickly proved successful when Naidu received a message the day after launching the project, confirming that a dog's life had been saved thanks to the reflective collar. Naidu described the moment as "amazing."
However, the Motopaws initiative faced financial challenges. On his father's suggestion, Naidu wrote a heartfelt letter to Ratan Tata, known for his love of dogs. Though hesitant at first, Naidu sent the letter, hoping for a positive response. To his surprise, two months later, Tata personally invited him to Mumbai.
A Bond Forged Over a Common Cause Tata not only offered financial support for Motopaws but also introduced Naidu to his own dogs, cementing their shared passion for animal welfare. This marked the beginning of a close bond between the two. After completing his MBA at Cornell University in the United States, Naidu returned to India, keeping his promise to work for Tata Trusts. In 2018, Tata extended him the role of assistant, a position Naidu continues to hold.
The Cornell Connection Their bond deepened over a mutual connection with Cornell University. Tata had graduated with a degree in architecture from Cornell in 1962, and Naidu completed his MBA there decades later. Their shared alma mater added a personal dimension to their working relationship.
Remembering a Guiding Light In 2021, Naidu published a memoir, I Came Upon a Lighthouse: A Short Memoir of Life with Ratan Tata, which offers a glimpse into their deep friendship. Tragically, following Tata’s passing, Naidu expressed his grief on social media, referring to him as his "lighthouse." He shared, “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. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse."
Naidu's deep respect and admiration for Ratan Tata earned him the nickname 'Millennial Dumbledore,' a title that reflects Tata’s wisdom, compassion, and lasting influence on the younger generation.
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