Ratan Tata, a well-known Indian industrialist, is the Chairman of Tata Sons and the Chairman of Tata Motors’ charitable trusts.
Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2010) (2000). Ratan Tata was the Chairman of Tata Group from 1990 to 2012 and is widely regarded as one of India’s most respected industrialists.
Ratan Tata inspired generations
Ratan Tata has inspired generations with his work to better this nation through his philanthropic work, humble lifestyle, and constant message of giving back to society.
Ratan Tata, at the age of 84, continues to impart wisdom to society through interviews and gestures during public appearances.
The businessman had never been involved in any controversies and was always open about his work.
However, a famous incident occurred in 2011, when Ratan Tata shared his thoughts on fellow industrialist Mukesh Ambani living in a luxurious house worth Rs. 15,000 crores, and it earned him both love and hatred.
It was in May 2011, when in an interview with The Times, Indian business tycoon, Ratan Tata opened up about fellow industrialist, Mukesh Ambani’s luxurious lifestyle.
Tata was asked to share his views on Mukesh Ambani living in a 27-story skyscraper worth Rs. 15,000 crores in Mumbai.
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Answering this, Ratan Tata, who prefers to keep a modest lifestyle, stated that income inequality in India is second to none and also added that the country needs its rich people to allocate a small portion of their enormous wealth to the development of the poor people. Ratan Tata had explained:
“It makes me wonder why someone would do that. That’s what revolutions are made of. The person who lives in there should be concerned about what he sees around him and [asking] can he make a difference. If he is not, then it’s sad because this country needs people to allocate some of their enormous wealth to finding ways of mitigating the hardship that people have. We are doing so little about the disparity. We are allowing it to be there and wishing it away.”
When Ratan Tata’s comments about India’s income disparity in the context of his fellow business tycoon, Mukesh Ambani, made their way into the media, they sparked outrage.
While some media reports claimed Tata accused Mukesh Ambani of not giving back to society, others speculated that Ratan Tata was envious of Mukesh Ambani’s luxurious home, Antilia.
However, during this controversy, Ratan received huge applause and a positive response from people over his statement that wealthy Indian millionaires were not doing enough to help the poor in different parts and sections of society.
Tata’s clarification
However, when things started getting complicated in the media, a spokesperson of Tata Sons had come forward and stated that the Indian media had sensationalized Ratan Tata’s comments. The spokesperson had explained that Ratan Tata’s statements weren’t about Mukesh Ambani or his house, Antilia. The spokesperson had said:
“We would also like to clarify stories in Indian media regarding Mr Ambani’s home. The report is out of context and factually incorrect. Mr Tata’s comments on wealth are in the larger context of the growing disparity in society. The comments seem to have been deliberately sensationalized.”
