From the Man of Steel

Rajdeep Sardesai:: But what is that little thing that makes a good entrepreneur? What is it that you would suggest to those who are ready to set up businesses across this India?

Ratan Tata:: What could I say to them? The idea has to be there, the robustness of that idea is there. The only thing I would say to them, if I could, would be: "Don't compromise your values. Don't add to the destruction of the fabric or ethics in the country. Try to build on it and look at building a better India." Perhaps one thing I would say to most young people: "Have a sense of spirit for your country rather than merely for yourself."

The excerpt is a part of an interview given to Rajdeep Sardesai on CNN-IBN by Mr. Tata after he was awarded the CNN-IBN Businessman of the Year award for the year 2006. The whole interview was a like to window to Mr. Tata's personality, which I guess is a very rare occassion, considering his demure personality. Though there were various take aways throughout the interview, the significant one, for me, was one that came at the end, embedded in the above answer. Anybody who would have seen this inteview would not have missed the glint in Rajdeep's eyes when he got this answer from Mr. Tata, whose equally expressive eyes reflected the tremendous sense of honesty in his words. It was so heartening to see someone as great as Ratan Tata echoe views which are so in sync with my own. It was a moment which reassured me that having a deep sense of nationalism isn't being foolishly crazy after all. But at the same time I must tell Mr. Ratan Tata, that the number people thinking like us is decreasing by the day. And this cynical judjement or perception is an outcome of personal experiences and not any hearsay.