Although he transformed the Tata Group into a global powerhouse, Ratan Tata is perhaps best remembered for his humility and down-to-earth charm. The chairman emeritus of Tata Group passed away on October 9 at the age of 86, leaving behind not only a business legacy but also a personal legacy characterized by simplicity and integrity.

Ratan Tata is often described as the epitome of ‘simple living and high thinking’, a sentiment echoed by Congress politician Gurdeep Singh Sappal, who shared a poignant memory of his meeting with the iconic leader.

Sappal recounted a visit to Tata’s home in Colaba, an upmarket neighborhood in Mumbai. He was surprised to see that the mansion was modestly furnished, making it more reminiscent of a middle-class home.

Ratan Tata lived in his house in Colaba on the beach called Bakhtawar until the end of his life. His remains were brought to his home early this morning.

“Memory of meeting Ratan Tata”

In his post on social media platform X, Sappal said that former veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel asked him in 2015 to arrange a meeting with Tata.

“It was decided that both will meet at Ratan Tata’s Colaba residence in Mumbai. Accordingly, Ahmed Patel ji and I reached his house on schedule, a house with apparently middle-class furnishings! Sappal recalled.

He initially noticed an awkward situation between the two men, revealing that they had never met in person before.

Sappal claims he was surprised to see that the two men had never met before. “I was blown away when I heard it was their first ever in-person meeting! The two had never met before!” he wrote.

“One was among India’s top companies and the other was one of the most powerful people during the UPA years! Yet they had not met!”

He called it an example of how Ratan Tata, despite his status, never sought proximity to political power, and Ahmed Patel, despite his influence, never used his position to force a meeting with corporate giants.

The legacy of Ratan Tata

Several other social media users shared stories of their encounters with Ratan Tata in the hours after his death, and everyone had something positive to say about the billionaire.

Former neighbors of Ratan Tata have revealed how he used to walk his dogs around Colaba every evening before his health deteriorated.

Some More than a few people said Ratan Tata would make time to share a few words with everyone he saw.