During my 40 plus years of association with the Tatas I was supported and led by some members of the Tata family whose virtues I cannot help but recall.
In the early 1970s, industrialist Naval Tata hosted an informal dinner at The Chambers for his friends from the industry. Fourteen had accepted the invitation. However, at the last minute, we got a call from industrialist Keshub Mahindra that he will not be able to attend as he had suddenly taken ill.
Tata, like many others, did not like the number 13 and announced "I don’t want this to be our last supper” and therefore asked me as secretary to join them for lunch. Though it was an informal function, I was embarrassed to join tycoons like Thackerseys, Khataus, Kilachands, Mafatlals, Birlas, etc.
When I told Naval’s son Ratan Tata that this was the first time I was in such company, he reassured me saying, "Don’t worry. You sit next to me and follow (my) table manners.” I did that and God knows how I managed. It was a nightmare for me for some time! K. D. SKANDAN
skandan.kd@gmail.com
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