4 months after Ratan Tata's death, his assistant Shantanu Naidu becomes youngest GM at Tata Motors
After spending over six years at Tata Sons, Naidu has achieved this milestone in his career and has become the youngest manager at Tata Trusts. Sharing an emotional post on his LinkedIn. A look at the post and his inspiring journey. Read more.
Remember Shantanu Naidu? The one who gained recognition as an assistant to the late industrialist Ratan Tata. On Wednesday, Ratan Tata's millennial manager took to his LinkedIn to announce that he has been transitioned to Tata Motors as a general manager for strategic initiatives.
After spending over six years at Tata Sons, Naidu has achieved this milestone in his career and has become the youngest manager at Tata Trusts. Sharing an emotional post about his career shift, Naidu wrote that he is happy to share that he is starting a fresh position as a General Manager, Head-Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors.
Reflecting on some insights about his connection with the firm, he shared that he still remembers the day when his father used to walk home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy blue pants, and he would wait for him in the window. It comes full circle now, he added. Let's find out more about Shantanu Naidu, the new general manager for strategic initiatives at Tata Motors.
Who is Shantanu Naidu?
Shantanu Naidu became a prominent name during Ratan Tata's death. Naidu is a significant figure in the Indian landscape and is best known for his close association and assistance to the late industrialist Ratan Tata.
Shantanu Naidu was born in 1993 in Pune, Maharashtra. He graduated from Savitribai Pune University in 2014 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following this, he did his MBA from Cornell University in 2016.
From being a dog lover to becoming assistant to the late industrialist Ratan Tata
Graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Shantanu Naidu joined the Tata Group as a design engineer. In a TEDx video, Naidu revealed the story of how he met Ratan Tata. He said one day while returning home from the office, he saw the dead body of a dog, which was lying in the middle of the road, and he, being the dog lover, stood there in pain to bring the body to the other side of the road.
Being a dog lover, he wanted to do something, and hence he designed a collar for dogs with the help of his friends. The collars had reflectors on them, which were designed to help the drivers see the dog from a long distance.
Following this, in an interview with Humans of Bombay, he revealed that he had no idea if the initiative would work, but then he woke up to messages saying that a dog had been saved because of the collar. Not only this but his initiative was widely praised and even featured in the Tata Group of Companies newsletter.
How did Shantanu Naidu meet Ratan Tata?
Following this, the demand for the collars spiked, and the funds were a setback for the initiative. Hence, his father was asked to write a letter to Ratan Tata, who was also a dog lover, and the letter changed Naidu's life.
After two months, Naidu received a signed letter from Ratan Tata and he not only praised him but also expressed his desire to meet Naidu. Well, after a few days, he officially met Ratan Tata at his Mumbai office when he took him to see his dogs, and that's how their friendship started.
A few things you may not know about the great Ratan Tata:
¡ª Kritarth Mittal | Soshals (@kritarthmittal) October 10, 2024
1. Ratan Tata once canceled his plan to visit Buckingham Palace where he was supposed to receive a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from Prince Charles.
Why did he cancel? One of his dogs had fallen sick. pic.twitter.com/CdclkDHBQn
However, later Naidu left India to pursue an MBA at Cornell University, but he promised Tata to dedicate his life to working for the Tata Trust after returning.
Motopaws is Shantanu Naidu's brainchild
Motopaws has been created by Shantanu Naidu, which operates across 20 cities and 4 countries. The young Tata employee also authored a book called 'I Came Upon a Lighthouse,' in which he shared his experiences with Ratan Tata.
#DecemberWithPI. Flat 40% Discount.
¡ª Padhega India (Bodhi Tree Knowledge Services) (@PadhegaIndia_) December 16, 2024
Presenting the really endearing & much acclaimed book: I Came Upon a Lighthouse (A short memoir of life with Ratan Tata) by Shantanu Naidu, illustrated by Sanjana Desai.#BuyFromPI #PIRecommends
Order ?https://t.co/Y5Ofo6Eiyo pic.twitter.com/FZln5o3yoN
Apart from this, he has also started an initiative, 'On Your Sparks,' where he gives tips to young entrepreneurs.
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Sneha is a dedicated writer with a passion for storytelling that enthrals and inspires the readers. With a background in Health and Wellness, she brings a unique perspective to every narrative. As a journalist, she aims to find solutions with authenticity and credibility.
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