By George Kannanthanam
Bengaluru, Oct 14, 2024: If Ratan was a Catholic, we would have made him ‘Saint Ratan Tata.’ Does anything prevent the Church from making him Saint? It is time to reconsider our views.
Sainthood is an acceptance of a person’s life as an example to others. Ratan has set the highest example for anyone to live in this world, including for the Christians. His values were the best of Christian principles, of truth, justice, equality, humility and compassion.
Ratan could speak truth to power like a prophet. He spent most of his wealth for the public good of the vulnerable sections of society. He created great institutions for social concern that transformed the social landscape of India. He supported global educational centres for empowering the youth.
He stood with and for the workers, giving them dignity and hope. He ensured better living for the persons with disabilities and the elderly. He loved nature and animals. Never has the whole country mourned the death of a businessman. Yes, Ratan Tata was a modern Saint.
Basically, Ratan was a business, but a businessman with a difference. He was a compassionate businessman. He was led by the Gandhian motto, ‘when you make a decision, think how it is beneficial to the poorest person in the country.’ Ratan kept that in all business dealings.
Nano Car was his response, when he saw the struggles of a family of four struggling to drive a scooter, a common scene in India. His desire was not to create competition in the car industry, his dream was to give a decent facility for the poor families to travel with dignity. He was guided by such noble intentions in many of his business initiatives, unparalleled in our lifetime.
Ratan was deeply concerned about the welfare and dignity of his workers. He never compromised his business profits causing any difficulty to his more than 700,000 staff in 19 companies spread across more than 100 countries with a net value of US$400 billion. No wonder his driver said after his death, “My God is no more.”
In moments of disasters, Tata stood with his affected staff. He never moved out of the Taj Hotel for three days when the terrorists attacked it on November 26, 2008. He visited the family of every staff member who died. He gave the opportunity for their children to go to any University around the world and study.
When Tata Steel company in Jamshedpur was downsized in 2012 from 78,000 to 40,000, he ensured all workers get their present-day wages until retirement age. Such a decision in favor of the workers is unheard of in history anywhere in the world. Only Ratan Tata with a heart of steel could think of such a deal, ensuring the good future of his employees. As the world witnesses business compromises affecting the safety, health and rights of workers, Ratan stands as a benevolent businessman.
Ratan Tata believed that a company’s success is tied to the welfare of society, not just for himself. Many Indians learnt philanthropy from Ratan Tata. Much before the country would script the CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility) policy and act, he implemented it. His example was the model before the government to make the CSR act.
An annual inflow of about 20,000 crore (200 billion) rupees from Corporates to charities today happens due to his example and inspiration. His total contribution to various philanthropic activities is roughly calculated to be around US$100 billion. If “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9/7) is correct, God loves Ratan Tata a great deal.
There is no area of social development that Tata Trust has not contributed to. But Ratan Tata’s greatest passion to support was in the field of education. He helped groom social workers for the country through Tata Institute of Social Sciences and best scientists through the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He also supported Catholic institutions like St Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Ratan extended such support to various global Universities mostly to support Indian students from underprivileged backgrounds. He established a scholarship fund of US$28 million at Cornell University, to finance talented Indian students. Ratan Tata created the MIT Tata Center of Technology and Design and donated US$50 million to Harvard Business School to build an executive center called Tata Hall.
Tata Hall at UC San Diego is a modern research facility with a donation of US$70 million. His focus on addressing societal challenges through education has laid the foundation for sustainable development, ensuring India continues to produce future leaders and innovators who carry forward his legacy.
Ratan has upheld and promoted life in every possible way. He was a fighter for a cause, the cause of suffering humanity. Whether it was disability, malaria, TB, cancer or Alzheimers, Ratna created institutions and organizations to support the victims. He supported mental health work through NIMHANS [National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences].
His passion to work for the elderly was expressed in his program called Goodfellows, backed by Tata protégé Shantanu Naidu. Even at the age of 86, Ratan set up a project for the welfare of people with Alzheimer’s, understanding that he himself was affected by it. His Tata Trust has saved enormous lives. ‘Giving life and life is abundance’ is continuing Jesus’s work.
Ratan’s love went beyond human beings to animals. His love for dogs is famous. Ratan would cancel a prestigious lifetime award ceremony to honor his exceptional philanthropic work organized by Prince Charles at Beckingham Palace in 2018 just days before the event to care for his ailing dog. Most people would not do it for their parents or siblings.
Who said he did not have a family. The whole universe was his family. He exemplified ‘Laudate Si’ in more ways than one.
Ratan did all this in utmost simplicity. Humility was his hallmark, a virtue we look for in every Saint. He was a gentle soul at heart.
Ratan could have been on top of the Forbes list. But he had much higher humane aspirations in life than that. He knew very well that respect and love come from being humane, not rich. No wonder the whole nation cried for the loss of its best human face, very rare for a country, divided on multiple lines.
Ratan was a universal man. Transcended all barriers of language, religion and country. Everyone could claim him as their own. The presence of prayers in all religions at his funeral symbolized what he was – a global citizen. ‘Frattelli Tutti’ (All Brothers) was so much in his DNA.
Jesus said it is extremely difficult for the rich to enter heaven. He did not say it was impossible. Ratan showed how the rich can enter heaven. Jesus said, ‘not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord (prays) who will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father.’ Ratan Tata did it in abundant ways.
Thus, Ratan Tata is a modern saint. A saint without the garb of religion. This sinks well with the vision of Pope Francis, of being spiritual, even without being religious.
If a person’s values and principles are the essence of saintliness, Ratan fits well in the idea of a saint. Ratan embodied a spark of divinity in everything he did. Is this not the idea of being a Saint? A man with divine nature.
Church may not canonize Ratan Tata. But the people have already given a special place to him in their hearts as ‘Saint Ratan Tata’. May be God too, for his special child. It is time for the Church to reconsider its views on sainthood as being restricted to Catholics.
(Claretian Father George Kannanthanam is a social worker living with leprosy patients since 15 years at Sumanahalli, Bengaluru.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCBI) has claimed that Ratan Tata’s values of truth, social justice, education, healthcare, equality, humility, compassion and service to the vulnerable align with the core values of the Catholic Church. But is it really so?
(1) In 2020-21 during peak Covid times, one very reputed Catholic school in Kolkata terminated the services of a single-mother employee, based on the flimsy report of a one-member Inquiry Committee. Where was compassion? Termination of services during Covid period was illegal.
(2) In another nun-run school in Kolkata, a teacher was not paid her salary during maternity leave. Was this compassion and social justice for motherhood which is universal? Basically it means no teacher should get pregnant during their tenure of service in the school! The same school authorities in 1994 had objected to one of its teachers going home (close to the school) to breast-feed her new-born daughter during lunch breaks! They insisted that she arrange someone at home to bottle-feed her child or get her brought to school for breast-feeding!
(3) In Kalimpong, the topmost church-run boys’ school has denied Dearness Allowance to select members of its staff who became permanent from 2022 onwards. How legal is this denial? How are the so-called Catholic priests in the Governing Body promoting Social Justice as selective denial of DA will badly hit gratuity and retirement benefits of these teachers? It and also point 4 below are fit cases for Advocate Sister Sujata Jena to take up to promote social justice in our church institutions.
(4) Most Church-run schools have been employing teachers on contractual basis for years without making them permanent. Where do we see justice, equality, humility and compassion of Ratan Tata? How can church-run schools tom-tom nation-building when they are treating their own teachers like bonded labourers?
In light of the above aberrations (and many more), the Indian Catholic Church, particularly CBCI Office for Education, must desist from claiming oneness with Ratan Tata as it “is not worthy to untie his sandal strap” (John 1:27). Talking of saints, several of them, including popes, had a tainted past. Ratan Tata had none!
Shri Ratanji – a glorious son of Mother India. An inspiration to all the business houses in India and in the wider world. In life and death, captains in business and trade and even politicians have finally found a role model to emulate. Long live the memory of the heroic life of the late Ratan Tata.
Why is big hue and cry about Ratan Tata? The writer must know that there are millions and millions of “un-proclaimed saints” in India and world. Think of the simple rural people who are sincere, honest, loving, service-minded and hardworking. To me they are all saints. Please remember the criteria of the Last judgement – “I was hungry…….”. Only such people will truly become saints. So, let us stop debating about sainthood wearing a Catholic Spectacle.
Sir, Thanks for this article. 🙏
Interesting to note even some Catholics see Ratan Tata not only as a benevolent business leader but a saint, but there are serious reasons to question this portrayal.
Let us not forget, that the Tata Group has been one of the largest land grabbers after Columbus, with their industrial projects displacing thousands of indigenous communities.
In Odisha and other areas, the land used for Tata Steel’s plant is not waste land but green and rich with forests, agricultural lands, and tribal settlements.
These lands are vital to the livelihoods of the local people, whose lives are deeply rooted in the land. The compensation provided to displaced families is meager and does not offer long-term security, as it fails to account for the loss of their traditional ways of life.
Most of these displaced tribal communities do not have legal claims to their land, further marginalizing them. The meager financial aid and housing plots provided are insufficient for survival, especially since regular employment in the industrial plants is not guaranteed.
The disruption of their agricultural lifestyle and food-gathering practices leaves them without a stable source of income. As these vulnerable groups are left in precarious conditions, it raises moral concerns.
Society, and business leaders like Tata, should prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable rather than exacerbating the divide between rich and poor.
Of course he was more than a saint. India has never seen a man like Ratan sab of that much purity. He is very very much eligible for Bharatha Ratna. We all pray and wait for that. Let God adore and Bless his soul
Beautifully written. By all means Ratan ji Tata deserves a sainthood. Such births happen once in million years. Where there was a need, he reached for help. He is Vc immortal in the minds of Indians.
As Chairman of Federal Bank,I had the rare opportunity of Sir Ratan opening Banks’ commercial Branch in Mumbai
He was simplicity personified and walked with me From Bombay House to the venue two blocks away. An enduring memory for me. To me He is the greatest Indian born.we as a nation failed colossally in failing to award him Bharat Ratna
Let us also remember TATA group had blood in their hands. 13 Adivasis men and women killed and their lands given. Visited to the memorial a few times. It is a story of..
A fainting presentation mentioning facts. Ratan Tata will is already ‘God’ for some and a ‘Saint’ for many. By all means a fine human beeing lived in the 21st century. For me he is next to Mahatma Gandhi. Salutations
Congratulations dear Fr George Kannanthanam.
Yes surely Rattan Tata was and is a saint, i believe that pope will bestow saint hood to Sir Rattan Tata,,
Thank you for your beautiful and inspirational writing on R. Tata the philanthropist. He is an inspiration for all. God bless you 🙏.
This article beautifully captures Ratan Tata’s legacy as a “modern saint,” highlighting his humility, compassion, and service to humanity. It reflects how his life aligns with the teachings of Jesus, showing that true sainthood goes beyond religion and rituals. Fr George Kannanthanam’s words remind us that divinity is found in how we treat others, and Ratan Tata exemplifies these values. His global impact and ability to unite people across religions truly make him “Saint Ratan Tata” in the hearts of many.
Well expressed Father George of a wonderful human being… Ratan Tata’s character serves as a beacon, reminding us that success and compassion go hand-in-hand. His dedication to the greater good of humanity has earned him a permanent place in our hearts.
Ratan Tatas body has left but his soul and the legacy will live eternally.Amen
This article is so splendidly written on the greatness of Rathan Tata who is one of the greatest philanthropist of all times … Congratulations dear father ..
Wow what a tribute to the noble man of India . I loved every word of yours on the fabulous praised on the modern Architect of India. Ratan Tata is a legacy . His unflinching loyalty to his principles certainly ought to be applauded …. Want to comment more on his igniting spirit. …Shall do later… Thanks a lot for such an insightful article….The Royalman deserves a royal salute from all of us .
The purpose of Commerce and Economics can be used by businesspersons and industrialists like R.Tata, to offer products and services as bundles of utilities (reflecting ideal goods, pricing and availability) for the common good of all. ‘Tata’ being a family brand cutting across industries, seems to have made a fair attempt to achieve these ideals. By and large Ratanji has succeeded in transcending much of the limitations of man, be it in aggrandisement, criminality or treacherous tendencies. The Tata group mission, obviously with the approval of its leader, has achieved a reputation of fairplay in most of its endeavours. Society recognises a person’s greatness often after his / her demise. The least we can do as a mark of respect for a good man like Mr Ratan Tata and as portrayed well in this article, is to pray for his soul, and seek God’s pardon for all his frailities. May his Soul Rest in Peace!
Church has yet to start direct sale sainthood…it might…and there would be many buyers…
Ratan Tataji would never even ponder over it…he would have out rightly rejected it.
A very befitting tribute to the greatest industrialist (not trader/bania) of the modern era. In fact all politicians, particularly chief ministers of each state, must do a stint on Social Development at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay.
Very well expressed. In Sunday sermons when talking of Christian virtue reference is invariably made to Mother Teresa. It gives the impression that her way was the only way.
My wife is the Director of a Centre for special children and young adults. As a social activist I am closely associated with people of various religions and even of no religion. I can say with certitude that there are umpteen genuine people serving society that have nothing to do with organised Christianity.
Saints are supposed to have at least the hope for everlasting life. Any one staring to death and trying to make this world a paradise while living and end up as a refuge for many who wants to escape from the Truth is a different case.
A true and inspiring presentation .
Will surely be motivation for many of us .
A true and realistic presentation .
Will surely be motivation for many .