In a touching tribute, Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola Cabs, expressed his sorrow over the loss of his “personal hero,” Ratan Tata, reflecting on the profound and lasting impact Tata had on his life and career.
Aggarwal referred to Ratan Tata as a beacon of guidance, whose influence and mentorship played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial path.
The relationship between Ola’s CEO and Ratan Tata began in 2008 when Tata served as the guest speaker at Aggarwal’s IIT Bombay graduation ceremony. As a recent graduate, Aggarwal was deeply inspired by Tata’s message about serving the nation, a sentiment that has resonated with him throughout his career.
When Aggarwal made the decision to invest in Ola in 2015, he got the chance to meet Tata. But their conversations went beyond that first encounter. “I have never known a corporate leader like Mr. Tata. Aggarwal said, “He showed a personal interest in my journey. Their mentorship continued, with Tata spending an entire day in Bengaluru in 2016 to interact with Aggarwal’s team, addressing the company with immense curiosity and grace.
Ratan Tata’s Passion for Electric Vehicles
A particularly significant memory for Aggarwal was when Tata played an instrumental role in the creation of Ola Electric. He called me one day in 2017 and invited me to come to Mumbai. He only said, “I want to show you something exciting and take you somewhere, Bhavy.” We traveled to Coimbatore in his plane to observe his personal project, which involved creating electric cars using the Tata Nano!” he wrote in his post.
Tata’s strong dedication to animals, especially dogs, also made a lasting impact on Aggarwal. Stray dogs were frequently found in Tata’s office, and this compassion for animals inspired Aggarwal to adopt a similar approach in his own company, which now accommodates nearly 30 stray dogs at Ola’s offices and facilities.
Reflecting on Tata’s legacy, Aggarwal noted, “I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to see such an extraordinary individual up close and to aspire to his ideals.” Although Tata’s passing has left a considerable void, Aggarwal expressed his appreciation for having been mentored by a man who set remarkably high standards for everyone.
Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group and a distinguished industrialist, passed away late Wednesday night at a hospital in Mumbai. Tata, who took the salt-to-software conglomerate to new heights, was 86 years old.
A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, he passed away at Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai at 11:30 PM, according to a top police official. He had been hospitalized for several days.
In a statement, Tata’s family shared, “We, his brothers, sisters, and family, find comfort in the overwhelming love and respect from all who admired him. Although he is no longer with us physically, his legacy of humility, generosity, and purpose will continue to inspire future generations.”