Shantanu Naidu: The Youngest GM Who Earned Ratan Tata's Trust And Friendship

Ratan Tata's Death: Shantanu Naidu, a dynamic 29-year-old, first gained national recognition after a video of him celebrating Tata's birthday went viral

Ratan Tata was widely known not only for his astute business leadership but also for his significant philanthropic contributions. In his later years, his close relationship with Shantanu Naidu, his general manager and trusted aide, garnered much public attention.

Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons and one of India's most prominent business leaders, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 86 and had been in critical condition for the past few days. 

Who is Shantanu Naidu?

Naidu, a dynamic 29-year-old, first gained national recognition after a video of him celebrating Tata's birthday went viral. Despite not having children, Tata embraced Naidu as a close confidant, treating him like a son. Naidu began working with Tata in May 2022 and became a valued member of his inner circle.

Born and raised in Pune, Naidu holds an engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University and an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management. He began his career as an automobile design engineer at Tata Elxsi, where he initiated an innovative project to protect stray dogs from traffic accidents. His solution involved designing reflective collars to make dogs more visible to drivers at night.

Naidu's initiative caught the attention of Tata, an avid dog lover himself. After writing a letter to Tata about his project, Naidu was invited for a meeting, marking the beginning of a friendship and professional partnership that would continue for years.

Beyond his role with Tata, Naidu is also an entrepreneur. He founded Goodfellows, a start-up that provides companionship services to senior citizens, a venture reportedly valued at Rs 5 crore. Tata, who was always supportive of Naidu's initiatives, had invested in the start-up, further cementing their close relationship. Tata's passing marks the end of an era for Tata Sons, a conglomerate synonymous with India's industrial growth and philanthropy.