The death of Ratan Tata in October 2024 ended an era in the life of India’s business society. In addition to his philanthropic and business giant achievements, the conditions of his will also demonstrate that he was fond of personal relationships and committed to society. His will not only talks about monetary generosity but also huge gratitude for people who contributed to his life, starting from his household workers to his executive staff and even to his pet.

An Act of Long-Service Workers Appreciation

No doubt the biggest chunk of admiration in terms of Tata’s will is the financial bequests made to his long-service workers.

His personal chef for a few years, Rajesh Shaw, was given over 1 crore, including a waiver of loan of 51 lakh. His butler, Subbaiah Konar, too was also given 66 lakh, including a waiver of the loan of 36 lakh. Tata’s personal secretary, Delnaz Gilder, also wasn’t left empty-handed with an amount of 10 lakh. Valuing the service of his own local staff, he decided to give 15 lakh to be divided among his employees who had served him for over seven years.

Not even occasional visitors and car washers were spared, with 1 lakh reserved for them, which goes to show Tata’s enormous gratitude to all those who had assisted him in his daily life. 

Philanthropic Pledge: The Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation

Most of his 3,800-crore fortune has been left behind for the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation and the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust. These trusts, an open testimony to Tata’s spirit of philanthropy, will continue to follow activities in the welfare of sections of society. By these trusts, the aura of Tata will be seen in industries, education, health, and social welfare schemes, and his nation-building philosophy.

Promoting Education and Personal Growth

Tata’s social development commitment is also evident in his waiving of dues by those who had been his personal wards. Among them was Shantanu Naidu, his executive assistant, who had already been sanctioned a 1 crore loan to pursue an MBA at Cornell University.

Tata’s testament made this loan waived off, which was a testimony to his commitment towards paying attention to education and professional learning. His driver Raju Leon, who had already been sanctioned a loan of 18 lakh, also got his due waived off, seeing Tata’s bounteousness and kindness towards employees who worked under him.

Tata ensured that his pet German Shepherd, Tito, was well taken care of after he died.

He spent 12 lakh simply to take care of Tito, 30,000 quarterly payments. His chef Rajan Shaw has been left to take care of Tito so that the pet is well taken care of in comfort in his own familiar surroundings.

This gesture indicates Tata’s deep attachment to his pets and his care for taking care of them.

Donation of Personal Belongings for Greater Cause

Tata even distributed his personal items so that charity remained the most important thing in his life. His big closet packed with high-end items such as Brooks Brothers, Hermes, Polo, Daks, and Brioni was not left behind for family or friends but donated to NGOs. His wish is that as clothing be shared among the poor so that his belongings also make a greater good.

A Legacy of Charity and Compassion

Ratan Tata’s wish is reflective of his values, loyalty, gratitude to be put on pedestal along with an ongoing emphasis on charity. By being grateful to those who had done a good thing to him and going ahead with charity programs, the legacy of Tata transcends the picture of his professional life as an industry legend. Equal leadership and bountifulness were the characteristic of his life, and even after death, a lesson on selflessness, humanity, and social responsibility by enterprise has been offered.