Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and one of India’s most powerful industrialists, died on Wednesday at age 86. Acclaimed for his astute leadership in business, Tata was also hailed for his significant philanthropic contributions. His close bond with Shantanu Naidu, his trusted aide, in his later years, drew immense public attention.

Who Is Shantanu Naidu?
Shantanu Naidu, first came into the national limelight when a video of him celebrating Tata’s birthday surfaced. The young confidant of Tata became a part of his team in May 2022. After joining, he quickly became a valued member of his inner circle.

Naidu expressed the loss of the national icon while lamenting the departed soul with a heartfelt message posted on his LinkedIn account this morning. 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. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”

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Born in Pune, Naidu holds an engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a graduate degree in MBA from Cornell University – Johnson Graduate School of Management. His professional career began at Tata Elxsi as an automobile design engineer where he started an innovative project to save stray dogs from accidents. He introduced reflective collars to increase their visibility during night hours.

Bonding Over Shared Love For Stray Animals

Naidu’s act of kindness immediately caught the attention of Tata, an ardent dog lover himself. He responded to the letter that Naidu had sent him about his project. Their meeting eventually turned into a lifelong friendship and a professional relationship between them.

Besides being a part of Tata’s team, Naidu is an entrepreneur. He started the start-up Goodfellows, a companionship service for the elderly. Tata had always been a supporter of Naidu’s initiatives and had reportedly invested in the startup.

Also Read: Ratan Tata: A Journey Through His Early Life, Education, and Philanthropic Legacy