Emotional adieu to Ratan Tata

The shareholders of Tata Global Beverages set aside biz-talk and bid an emotional adieu to Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group on Friday.

The outgoing chairman at his last AGM was greeted with bouquets and sweet speeches. Ratan Tata indulged in friendly banter and allowed speakers to exceed their time limit. But he did not spare the opportunity to quip: “I do not want to sit here till dinner”.

Septuagenarian T.P. Goyal set the tone for the AGM. “I thank you sir for setting up the Tata Medical Centre in Rajarhat. My daughter-in-law had been suffering from breast cancer and I insisted that she be taken to your Rajarhat facility for treatment. Today, she is doing well. I am indebted to you,” he said before expressing his desire to shake-hands with Ratan Tata.

M.S. Gatanni, a known-face in city’s AGM circuit, dropped his pet demand for bonus shares. “I am not asking for bonus shares this time. We know your penchant for stringency. I will only pray for your good health.” Tata admitted that in respect of bonus shares he preferred to be “stringent”.

Arvind Goyal recalled Tata as his inspiration for not giving bribe. “It is not as if you cannot see me at the AGMs. I will be sitting where you (shareholders) are now and may be even posing questions on the company’s operations,” came the remark from Tata at the end.

He said he will always remember the love and warmth he has received from the ‘City of joy’.