He grew the Tata group into a world-beater. Now, with the Tata trusts, he wants nothing less than to change the world
Because no one can remain
actionless even for a moment.
Everyone is driven to action,
helplessly indeed, by the Gunas of nature
Buying drinking water, at Rs 7 for a 20-litre bottle, is tough for families that earn Rs 7,000 on average each month. It was easier for them to drink free water supplied by government tankers. When Bhavari Devi showed them the math in terms of the medical costs they were incurring because the water they were consuming was unhygienic, she acquired converts. “I now sell at least 1,000 litres of water every day,” she says.
What most people don’t know of is that the Tata group is structured in an entirely unique way. The Tata trusts control the group through their 66 percent majority stake in Tata Sons, which in turn is the biggest shareholder in each of the companies. Thanks to this shareholding pattern, high growth in Tata companies meant the Tata trusts grew richer.
Because, whatever noble persons do, others follow.
Human beings are bound by Karma other than those done as Yajna (sacrifice).
Therefore, O Arjuna, do your duty efficiently
as a service or seva to me,Free from attachment to the fruits of work
(This story appears in the 17 August, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)