The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision
Tata Nano
, affectionately named "Lily," holds a special place in India's
automotive history
, not just as a car but as a symbol of a visionary promise made by the legendary industrialist
Ratan Tata
.
Shantanu Naidu
, Ratan Tata's former assistant and currently General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at
Tata Motors
, owns this final Nano.
Recently, Naidu shared an emotional post on Instagram standing beside Lily, reflecting on the car's significance beyond its physical form. To him, Lily is a 'memory keeper' and a tribute to an engineering dream that was bold, compassionate, and aimed at providing affordable, safe transportation to middle-class Indian families. This white-colored Nano, now six years old, symbolizes the fulfillment of Ratan Tata's heartfelt vision that began when he saw a family of four riding a two-wheeler in the rain and dreamed of a safer alternative.
The Nano was launched in 2008 with the goal of delivering a four-wheeled vehicle priced around ₹1 lakh, a promise that resonated deeply with millions of Indians.
Shantanu Naidu's Nano tribute: A heartfelt salute to Ratan Tata's vision
In his heartfelt Instagram post, Naidu described Lily as more than just a vehicle. He called her a 'whisper of an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten' and thanked the car for its loyalty despite the 'battle-scar dents' it had accumulated over the years. His tribute underscores the emotional and symbolic weight the Nano carries as a fulfilled promise by Ratan Tata to Indian families. Naidu's close association with Tata adds a personal dimension to this story, reflecting the deep respect and admiration he holds for the industrialist's vision and values.
The genesis of the Tata Nano
The idea for the Tata Nano originated from a poignant moment when Ratan Tata witnessed a family of four braving heavy rain on a two-wheeler. Moved by their vulnerability, Tata envisioned an affordable car that would provide safety and dignity to millions of Indian families. This vision culminated in the launch of the Nano at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo, marketed as the world's cheapest car. Although the Nano faced challenges such as production shifts and market perception issues, it remains a milestone in India's automotive journey.
Shantanu Naidu: A trusted associate of Ratan Tata
Naidu's bond with Ratan Tata goes beyond professional ties. Their friendship, rooted in shared passions such as animal welfare, was marked by mutual respect and support. Naidu has been a key figure in Tata's initiatives, including startups focused on social impact. Following Tata's passing in 2024, Naidu has publicly expressed the profound void left by his mentor, calling him his 'dear lighthouse.' His stewardship of the last Nano, Lily, is a continuation of that legacy—honoring Tata's commitment to innovation, empathy, and India's progress.
In preserving the last Tata Nano, Shantanu Naidu keeps alive not only a piece of automotive history but also the spirit of a dream that sought to transform lives through affordable mobility.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
Manohar Rao Vangoori launches memoir celebrating six decades of manufacturing
Marking a monumental journey of over 60 years in India's engineering and manufacturing landscape, veteran industrialist Manohar Rao Vangoori unveiled his memoir titled 'How I Built It — Six Decades of Manufacturing Wisdom and Innovations'. The book launch coincided with the 85th birthday celebrations of the pioneering entrepreneur. A stalwart of India's post-Independence industrial revolution, Vangoori's memoir chronicles his life from modest beginnings to establishing Jaisara Tooling Systems Pvt Ltd, a globally respected name in aerospace tooling. Drawing from early stints at HEC Ranchi and HAL in the 1960s, the book reflects his ethos of discipline, innovation, and relentless dedication to quality. Unlike typical business memoirs, How I Built It blends entrepreneurial milestones with deeply personal reflections. Vangoori recounts his childhood struggles, early exposure to values of education and integrity, and the evolving journey of building a manufacturing enterprise in a then-nascent Indian industrial ecosystem. 'This book is not just about machines, but about values, decisions, and dreams. It's for every young mind that dares to believe India can lead with precision and integrity,' Vangoori shared during the launch. Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder Chairman of Cyient, who unveiled the book, remarked, 'It's more than a memoir—it's a blueprint for nation-building through values and engineering. At 80+, Vangoori remains an inspiration.' The event saw the presence of distinguished personalities including Dr. Ramesh Datla, Shri GunneswaraPursarla, and DwarakanathPatnam, who applauded Vangoori's contributions to India's industrial growth and mentorship legacy. How I Built It is now available in bookstores and online, offering readers a rare glimpse into a life shaped by purpose, precision, and perseverance.
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
India's life insurance industry to grow at 10-12 pc over 3-5 yrs
The Indian life insurance industry registered new business premiums of Rs 41,117.1 crore in June amid the ongoing impact of the revised surrender value regulations, lower credit life sales, and group single premiums, according to a new report. CareEdge Ratings expects the life insurance industry to continue to grow at 10 per cent-12 per cent over a three-to-five-year horizon, driven by product innovation along with supportive regulations, rapid digitalisation, effective distribution, and improving customer services. In June, the annual premium equivalent (APE) rose by 2.5 per cent, a slower growth rate compared to the 20.0 per cent increase in the same period last year. In APE terms, the industry grew at an 11.0 per cent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) between June 2023 and June 2025. During this period, private insurers grew at 15.4 per cent, according to the report. 'The first quarter is typically a slow period for the life insurance sector, as it follows the fiscal year-end when most retail customers have already purchased policies in a last-minute rush,' said Saurabh Bhalerao, Associate Director, CareEdge Ratings. In Q1 FY26, the quarter-on-quarter growth has increased by 4.3 per cent compared to 22.9 per cent growth in the same quarter a year ago, mainly because of muted consumer demand and the impact of revised surrender value guidelines, which were effective October 1, 2024.
India Gazette
40 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Daily World Briefing, July 13
Air India crash report shows both engines shut down shortly after takeoff Both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane had shut down mid-air within seconds of take-off, showed a preliminary investigation report released on Saturday by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (ABI). According to Indian media, the report said that before the Flight AI-171 plane crashed, the switches controlling the fuel flow of the two engines switched from "RUN" to "CUT OFF" within a second of each other, which caused the aircraft engines to stop working. The cockpit voice recorder shows that one of the pilots asked, "Why did you cut off?" and the other pilot replies, "I didn't." The accident report also showed that both switches were moved back to the "RUN" position and while Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, Engine 2 could not. Trump announces 30 pct tariffs on EU, Mexican goods starting Aug. 1 U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday morning that 30 percent tariffs will be imposed on the European Union (EU) and Mexico as of Aug. 1. The new tariffs were announced in the letters addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and posted on Trump's social media platform Truth Social. Trump criticized Mexico for its "failure to stop the cartels" from smuggling drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States, and accused the country of not doing enough to cooperate with Washington in curbing illegal immigration. In the case of the EU, the U.S. president scolded the bloc for its tariff and non-tariff barriers, which he blamed for causing "long-term, large, and persistent Trade Deficits." EU chief slams Trump tariff threat, pledges retaliation if required European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Saturday that Washington's decision to impose 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) exports risks severely disrupting transatlantic supply chains, and pledged that the EU would respond with countermeasures if necessary. "Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers, and patients on both sides of the Atlantic," von der Leyen said in a statement. Her comments followed an earlier announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said his administration would impose 30 percent tariffs on EU exports, arguing that bilateral trade had long been unbalanced and lacked reciprocity. Von der Leyen responded that the EU remained committed to a negotiated solution, but emphasized that the bloc would act to defend its economic interests if negotiations failed. PKK disarmament opens "new page in history" for Trkiye: Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday declared "a new page" in history for Trkiye, as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) begins the disarmament process. "As of yesterday, the 47-year-long terror scourge has entered a phase of ending. Trkiye has begun closing a long, painful chapter filled with anguish and tears," Erdogan said while addressing members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Kizilcahamam district, Ankara Province. On Friday, a group of PKK militants burned their weapons in a symbolic ceremony in Iraq's northern Sulaymaniyah province. "From now on, we will sit down and talk -- not with weapons or violence, not for conflict, but for unity, fraternity, and face-to-face dialogue by removing the obstacle of terror," he said.
