A Letter From Ratan Tata

I spent a few years in the late 1990s in India as part of a US company. One day, a visitor from another office — an Asian Studies scholar — gave us an impromptu lecture on Indian ancestry. As I listened, a silent anger built up within me as he voiced the theory that the best of what was Indian was not truly of Indian origin but rather the creativity of other races that had graced India with their presence and knowledge.

Over the following months, I channeled that frustration into writing a 150-page thought-piece on India’s contribution to the field of management. This work eventually made its way into the hands of Ratan Tata, who graciously wrote us a letter allowing the use of his words on the back cover of the soon-to-be-published book India’s Contribution to Management:

“India’s Contribution to Management: A Vision offers an alternative view to the traditional management perspectives which are largely shaped by the experiences of western practitioners, and to that extent will provide insights to all those who have an interest in the subject of management. The influence of his cultural roots on Pravir’s work is very clear, and I can only compliment him on how he has retained his attachment to these despite the extensive exposure he has clearly had to academic institutions and professional organizations overseas. My congratulations to him.”

I never met him, but as I reflect on this extraordinary human being — someone who lived integrally from the heart, mind, and soul, inspiring both young and old alike — I now see his words differently. Ratan Tata showed what it means to boldly expand Indian possibility on the global stage while remaining a true corporate citizen. His passing deepens the significance of his words, and his legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.