Because no one can remain
actionless even for a moment.
Everyone is driven to action,
helplessly indeed, by the Gunas of nature
Buying drinking water, at Rs 7 for a 20-litre bottle, is tough for families that earn Rs 7,000 on average each month. It was easier for them to drink free water supplied by government tankers. When Bhavari Devi showed them the math in terms of the medical costs they were incurring because the water they were consuming was unhygienic, she acquired converts. “I now sell at least 1,000 litres of water every day,” she says.
What most people don’t know of is that the Tata group is structured in an entirely unique way. The Tata trusts control the group through their 66 percent majority stake in Tata Sons, which in turn is the biggest shareholder in each of the companies. Thanks to this shareholding pattern, high growth in Tata companies meant the Tata trusts grew richer.
Because, whatever noble persons do, others follow.
Human beings are bound by Karma other than those done as Yajna (sacrifice).
Therefore, O Arjuna, do your duty efficiently
as a service or seva to me,Free from attachment to the fruits of work
(This story appears in the 17 August, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
Decades ago, a foreign entrepreneur described the Tatas as the world's greatest philanthropist. He clarified, "In the west, we have billionaires"
on Jan 12, 2013Great article on Great Personality and legendary Ratan Tataji. TATA are known for muti business giants and biggest industrialists in India. To me TATA stands for: Titan Among Titans! Does anywhere in history a great Humanist like Ratan Tataji reacted for a tragedy to support the victims? Here it is: India's 26/11 at Mumbai needs no special mention to my readers. The Taj Hotel, too is too well known . After what happened at the Taj Hotel on 26/11, what Ratan Tata, the current CEO of the Tata Group and his team did is something unique. "All category of employees including those who had completed even 1 day as casuals were treated as being on duty during the time that the hotel was closed. Relief and assistance was extended to all those who were injured and killed during the attack. Relief and assistance was extended to all those who died at the railway station surroundings, just behind the Taj, including the 'Pav- Bhaji' vendor and the paan shop owners. During the time that the hotel was closed, full salaries were sent by money order to all employees who were at home. A psychiatric cell was established in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences to counsel those who needed such help. The thoughts and anxieties going on in people's minds was constantly tracked and where needed psychological help provided. Employee outreach centers were opened where all help, food, water, sanitation, first aid and counseling was provided. 1600 employees were covered by this facility. Every employee was assigned to one mentor and it was that person's responsibility to act as a 'single window' clearance for any help that the person required. Ratan Tata personally visited the families of all the 80 employees who in some manner 'either through injury or getting killed' were affected. The dependents of the employees were flown from outside Mumbai to Mumbai and taken care of in terms of ensuring mental assurance and peace. They were all accommodated in Hotel President for 3 weeks. Ratan Tata himself asked the families and dependents as to what they wanted him to do. In a record time of 20 days, a new trust was created by the Tatas for the purpose of relief of employees. What is unique is that even the other people, the railway employees, the police staff, the pedestrians who had nothing to do with Tatas were covered by compensation. Each one of them was provided subsistence allowance of Rs. 10K per month for 6 months. A 4 year old granddaughter of a vendor got 4 bullets in her and only one was removed in the Government hospital. She was taken to Bombay hospital and a fortune was spent by the Tatas on her to ensure full recovery. New hand carts were provided to several vendors who lost their carts. The Tatas will take responsibility for the education of 46 children of the victims of the terror. This was the most trying period in the life of the organization. Senior managers including Ratan Tata were visiting funeral to funeral over the 3 days that were most horrible. The settlement for every deceased member ranged from Rs. 36 to 85 lacs [One lakh rupees translates to approx 2200 US $ ] in addition to the following benefits: a. Full last salary for life for the family and dependents; b. Complete responsibility of education of children and dependents anywhere in the world. c. Full Medical facility for the whole family and dependents for rest of their lives. d. All loans and advances were waived off irrespective of the amount. e. Counselor facility at Tata's cost for life for each person. The above has to do with the DNA of the organization, with the way Tata culture exists and above all with the situation that prevailed that time. The organisation has always been telling that customers and guests are #1 priority The whole approach was that the organization would spend several hundred crores in re-building the property. Why not spend equally on the employees who gave their lives? Long live Ratan Tataji. Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
on Dec 22, 2012i m proud of tata group because tata group is not only a bussiness that means thinking for profit or loss.but it is also a trust for public help.i want to add with tata group...
on Nov 9, 2012Most of the first generation, rural, marginalised children have only the rural government school as a gateway to liberation. I would be happy to see the Trust also talking steps to nurture these schools
on Oct 10, 2012I am very happy because tata group is very helpful and i am proud to be an indian
on Oct 1, 2012I am very impressed - and, because of the Tata Group, I am proud to be an Indian and an Parsee.
on Aug 22, 2012How can I personally help? Not by writing checks.
on Aug 20, 2012Hope with Mr. Tata pulling more time for the running of the Trusts will enhance the quality of the various projects and will result in improvement of quality of life of many BPL families. Their work in the Rural Livelihoods sector needs a solid push as currently it is worse than the govt. implementation. Though the Trusts teams have grown they have become bureaucratic and spend time pushing the paper than actually getting the work done. Just imagine what kind of transformation can be achieved by pumping 500 crores of rupees in the society. But unfortunately the Tata Trusts have not really been successful in achieving long lasting impact with their 500 crores. Wish at least half of the impact the Trusts boast about on paper exists in reality. Need to see how Mr. Tata will transform the Trusts\' functioning and of course the possibilities are endless. Hope the Tata Trusts and Mr. Tata will set new benchmarks in the sector.
on Aug 20, 2012Lofty n highly philanthropic - but appreciate the values laid
on Aug 20, 2012Is MS Swaminathan an elected member of the Rajya Sabha or a nominated member? @sachi_bbsr
on Aug 18, 2012This is a good, if slightly melodramatic article! It does leave out aspect of Mr. Tata holding a public office; a distinguished persona such as him, is what is required in our Presidential offices.
on Aug 14, 2012I personally am not able to accept that Mr.Ratan Tata will take retirement.One should not retire as I have learnt from my father who is 85 now and is still attending office daily and we all are benefitted by his valable guidance and advices.Same applies to Mr.Tata and if he continues,our country will be continously benefited.
on Aug 13, 2012Many a times, we come across personalities who shouldn't retire and whose continuous work will keep benefiting the company, the shareholders and public at large. But a company is a growing concern and hence when the baton passes to the next generation, they are not ready for it. That's what is happening to Larsen and Toubro. They are finding it hard to replace A. M. Naik. Good leaders develop successors or find one from outside. This also tells on the company culture. Narayan Murthy has created a culture in Infosys where no one holds post for too long.
on Aug 14, 2012