A Promise is a Promise!
A story of a Gentleman’s promise and an apology
On 16th November, 2011 as I was driving back home, I heard an email notification sound on my mobile. It felt different, I took aside and stopped the car to check the mail. It was from Ms. Alma Sunder, Chairman’s office, Tata Sons Ltd.
But Ms. Sunder had just mentioned in the mail to check attached copy of Mr Ratan Tata’s response to my letter and that I would receive the original by post.
Just a week back, I had written to the man at the helm of Tata Empire, requesting his audio foreword for ‘The Man Who Made The Elephant Dance’, the audio autobiography of — ‘I Too Had A Dream’ by Dr Varghese Kurien, the Milk Man of India. It was my initiative to spread awareness about the mammoth work Dr Kurien in building AMUL and making India world’s largest producer of milk.
As I looked at the mail, I could not breath, there was no mention about yes or no in the body of the email. Attachment was taking too much of time to download. So, I called my home and asked my wife to check on the desktop and download the attachment.
Even today as I write this, I still remember the exact location on the street where I was waiting in the car, as she read out, I could not breath again, this time with joy!
While appreciating my project and agreeing to my request for his audio foreword, Ratan Tata had written about his extensive travelling during the coming weeks and suggested to get in touch with his office for a suitable date for the recording, for some time in December.
I received the hard copy of the letter on the very same day. I don’t know how many times I must have read those seven-eight lines!
I called Mrs. Kurien and shared the Big Good News! She too was delighted by this sweet surprise!
It was the same time frame when Mr Cyrus Mistry was finalised by the selection committee to take over as Chairman of Tata Sons Ltd, post Mr. Ratan Tata’s official retirement in December, 2012. There were hectic activities in Chairman’s office and Mr Tata was extremely busy.
I kept contacting his office, but the Dec. was over and we were in second week of January 2012. As the delay in getting Mr. Tata’s date continued, I had also a tiny tinge of worry continuously at the back of my mind, about Dr Kurien. He was already ninety plus and not at his best of the health.
Before I could realise, second week of Feb, 2012 went by.
While I was confident about Ratan Tata’s commitment, at times some negative thought would pop up. Mr Tata’s agreeing to my request was itself a big moment, but this delay in actual recording was worrisome.
I could understand how important that period was, as Ratan Tata who was at the helm of Tatas since 1991, was to retire in just few months and had a mammoth responsibility of handing over the button of a century old conglomerate with presence in 100 plus nations. Against that, allocating time for me was so tiny aspect.
First week of March gone. I decided to personally visit Mr. Tata’s office and went there without any appointment. Fortunately, the staff at his office was so nice and understanding. I handed over the prototype of proposed packing of the audio book to Ms. Dilnaz, for the approval of Mr Tata, as his photo was placed on the cover.
Within a week’s time I received a letter, signed personally by Mr. Tata. I was astonished to read his letter. He had apologised for this delay from his end and had assured his appointment at the earliest. I simply could not believe, Mr Tata, the Chairman of Tata empire apologising to an ordinary person like me. But this is all what Mr Ratan Tata was about.
In next few days, I received confirmation for 5th April. But again, on 2nd April, I received a call requesting for possibility of revised schedule, the very next day. I agreed.
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Chaitany Deshmukh, my audio recordist and I were at the Bombay House next day. We were taken to 4th floor and then to the ‘sanctum sanctorum’ of Tata Empire, the Board Room.
There was this huge wooden board-room table, horizontal as we entered into the room. The walls were embellished with wooden panelling. The curtains and upholstery for the thick cushioned sofas and all the chairs around the main boardroom table were red coloured.
Sir Ratan Tata and Dorabji Tata were observing us from the beautiful photo frames on the wall, and a white bust at the centre, of the legendary Jamshedji Tata.
All the wooden chairs around the table were of an exact size and height, except one at the horizontal centre, just few inches taller, which unless observed carefully won’t even get noticed. It was Mr Ratan Tata’s chair, where he subsequently sat with Chaitany facing him on the opposite side, recording.
Chaitany and I politely refused for the tea as we patiently waited for the arrival of Mr. Tata. I was simply absorbing the atmosphere of this historic ‘Garbha-Gruh’ of a corporate temple. It must have witnessed so many path-breaking decision that led to today’s Tata empire.
In few minutes there entered Mr Ratan Tata, in a grey suit, light blue shirt and dark-light checks blue tie. What a charming personality, simply majestic. He smiled and extended his hand. I came to my senses, smiled back, bowed my head a little and shook his hand. I introduced Chaitany as both shook hands.
Mr Tata then asked if it is okay for the recording if he sits at his usual chair. Chaitany simply nodded. As Chaitanya was busy with his instruments, I asked Mr Ajay Kumar who had accompanied Ratan Tata, whether I could click photos. He confirmed with a nod. But I could just click one during the recording and one small video clip. I wanted to absorbed those few minutes completely and not to engage in clicking the photos.
As we finished with the recording, Mr Tata asked Chaitany whether all was up to his satisfaction. It was.
Then we had a small chat. He enquired about my profession and about how I met Dr Kurien. Then with Dr Kurien’s book in hand I requested for his autograph. “How can I sign on his book? I haven’t written it.” He mentioned smiling. “Sir you can sign on the page where your foreword is printed.” He smiled and agreed.
But during that few moments one funny thing happened. In a haste, I pronounced ‘foreword’ as ‘forward’ and Mr Tata caught that with a smile and a fun sparked in his eyes. But he immediately took out his pen and asked me where to sign. Then, I requested for a photo, which he happily agreed to.
I thanked him again and bow down for traditional ‘Namaskar’. He was bit surprised by my gesture and grabbed me, patting on the back and shook hands.
Mr Tata wished me for the success of the audio book. Then again with a gentle smile he shook our hands and proceeded towards the door.
As we came out of the room and proceeded towards the elevators, I realised the gravity. I was with The Ratan Tata, had chatted and took his blessings.
Later, I was told how lucky I was to get Mr. Tata’s time during that crucial period. But I was aware, it was all thanks to Dr Kurien for whom Mr. Tata had a great respect and I was just a courier guy.
It was also yet another example of “Promise is a Promise”, that’s what this legendry kind hearted captain of India Inc, the ‘Ratan’ of India was all about.
Post the official release of the audiobook — ‘The Man Who Made The Elephant Dance’ at the hands of Shri Narayana Murthy, at the International Convention centre, Bombay Stock Exchange, on 5th September, 2012, I once again sent him a letter thanking him for adding incredible value to the audiobook and sent acopy.
I used to update him about every landmark in my life there after and he would reply appreciating and encouraging me. Those letters and emails are treasurers of my life!
