Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata's Aide, Appointed to Key Position at Tata Motors: 'A Full Circle Moment'

Shantanu Naidu has been appointed General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. In a LinkedIn post, he expressed his emotions about the new position. 

He stated on LinkedIn, "I'm excited to announce that I'll be commencing a new post as General Manager, Head - Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors! I recall my father walking home from the Tata Motors plant in his white shirt and navy pants, and I'd wait for him in the window. It's coming full circle now." 

According to Mr Naidu's LinkedIn profile, he received his engineering degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and his MBA from Cornell University in 2016.

In 2018, he started working as Ratan Tata's assistant, and their tight friendship quickly gained public attention. A video of Mr Naidu singing a birthday song for Mr Tata went viral, showcasing their close relationship.

In 2014, Mr Naidu, a professional design engineer, created an idea to safeguard homeless canines from fast vehicles. Ratan Tata, a well-known animal lover, became interested in Mr Naidu's work and eventually invested in the project, becoming his mentor, employer, and personal friend.

In his book, 'I Came Upon a Lighthouse,' Mr Naidu provides an intimate and lighthearted look at their unexpected friendship, focusing on shared adventures and Tata's lesser-known interpersonal quirks rather than his financial accomplishments. When Mr Naidu indicated a wish to write about their voyage, Mr Tata agreed, claiming that no single book could properly represent his life. 

In 2021, Mr Naidu started Goodfellows, a firm that assists elderly individuals living alone in India. Ratan Tata reportedly gave up control of the company and waived Mr Naidu's education loan in his will as a final act of kindness.

Ratan Tata died on October 9, 2024, at 86. After his mentor died, Mr Naidu posted an emotional tribute on LinkedIn:

"I'll spend the rest of my life trying to fill the void this friendship has left in me. Grief is the price we pay for love. Goodbye, my beloved lighthouse."