In Memory......!
With profound sadness, as we say a final “tata” to Mr.Ratan Tata for his abode in the lap of gods; I wish to share a life time experience, an incident that demonstrated the true sprit of Tata legacy -
“Stand like a Rock, when it comes to Principle”
It was the year 2008, when Tata Management walked out of the W.B. Government meeting and Mr. Ratan Tata announced the tough & hard decision of “calling off & moving out of West Bengal” regarding the Tata Nano Car plant which was - Ready to Start, Fully Installed & Commissioned, State of the Art, Hitech Manufacturing Plant @ Singur, West Bengal. One requires Nerves of Steel to take such a bold decision when circa INR 1000 crores of direct investment & a similar volume for that of the vendors & concerned supply chain companies, is at stake. The then CM of Gujarat and today’s PM of India Shri. Narendra Modi then sent an SMS to Mr. Ratan Tata which simply said “Suswagatham” to persuade him to relocate the Tata Nano factory to Gujarat and the rest is history.
As an Identification & Traceability Solution provider, we had bagged our one of the biggest Order of the entire Marking requirement for Tata Nano Car and accordingly, had installed the automation equipment at Tata Motors Singur plant which had an installed capacity to produce over three lac units per annum then. With this amazing proclamation from Mr. Tata of moving out from West Bengal, we were just informed that we shall be notified the further course of action. Shortly, thereafter it was learnt & confirmed that this Tata Nano Car Plant was then planned to relocate at Sanand, Gujarat. We were asked to submit our fresh offer for the scope comprising of a) dismantling the machinery & equipment at Singur, WB plant b) packing it appropriately and handing over to Tata Motos transporter @ Singur, W.B and finally c) Reinstalling the same @ Sanand, Gujarat plant. The entire equipment & machinery was shifted from Singur (East of India) to Sanand (West of India) by sea and I clearly remember that the FIRST NEW PLANT at Sanand, Gujarat was ready for installation & commissioning of various machinery within eight months. I was fortunate enough to attend the inauguration of Tata Sanand plant then. This incident was a unique experience, comprised of many takeaways & truly inspirational. Mr. Ratan Tata will long & always be remembered for his strategic foresight, firmly held belief system, and a display of true professionalism. We have lost a statesman and a great philanthropist.
RIP Sir….!!!