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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Okay, Tata: How Mamata govt is trying to put Nano in the rearview mirror
AS SHE seeks to recast her government's image as pro-industry, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could not have chosen a more striking photo-op than her meeting with Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The July 9 rendezvous, its photos widely shared, was the first such high-level meeting between Banerjee and a Tata executive since she led the Trinamool Congress agitation that drove the Tata Nano project out of Bengal in 2010, and rode the momentum to power. The focus on industry, and by extension jobs, reflects the political reality on the ground, with the BJP with its 'double-engine growth' narrative snapping at the heels of Banerjee's bid for a fourth consecutive term in power. Since Banerjee's meeting with Chandrasekaran, the Trinamool Congress government has announced a 'Business and Industry Conclave' later this year, while another Bengal Global Business Summit (after the one held in February this year) may be on the cards before the 2026 Assembly elections. Banerjee's meeting with Chandrasekaran, which lasted 45 minutes, was followed by messages by the TMC that underlined the distance the CM had travelled from the massive land acquisition agitation she led, while in the Opposition, against the Nano project. The party said the dialogue between Banerjee and the Tata Chairman was centred on West Bengal's growth. 'They talked about deepening the Tata Group's presence in the state, underscoring Bengal's emergence as a preferred destination for forward-looking industry leaders,' the TMC said. As per government sources, the overture to the Tatas had been in the making for several months. The CM first invited Chandrasekaran for the February Bengal Business Global Summit. While he could not make it, the two had an encouraging discussion on the eve of the summit. Later, at the summit's inaugural ceremony, Banerjee mentioned her conversation with Chandrasekaran. 'He assured us that they want to invest more and more in Bengal. And he will come to Bengal very soon and discuss (things in detail).' Currently the Tatas' presence in West Bengal is largely via Tata Consultancy Services, which has more than 54,000 employees across the state and is planning a 20-acre campus in the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub, located in New Town. The Tata Group also has investments in the hotel sector in the state. To a lesser degree, Tata Steel has a diversified presence with more than 11,100 employees, while Tata Hitachi has a plant in Kharagpur. Most of these plants date back to the Left time, with some expansions seen under the TMC regime. Amit Mitra, the Chief Financial Adviser to the CM, announced last week plans for a 'Business and Industry Conclave' in the state after Durga Puja. 'The State-Level Investment and Synergy Committee has been tasked with preparing a roadmap for the conclave,' Mitra, also the former state finance minister, said. The state government had announced the formation of this Committee ahead of the Global Business Summit 'in order to facilitate industrial growth and enhance the ease of doing business in the state'. The committee is headed by the Chief Secretary, with units planned in each district. The Bengal government has identified several revenue- and job-generating sectors for its industrialisation push, said Mitra. These include steel, gems and jewellery, Information Technology and related fields, food-related businesses, tourism, textiles and apparel, leather, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. A new pressure point for the TMC government are incidents of rounding up of Bengali migrants across the country as the Centre widens its crackdown against 'illegal' immigrants. The BJP has linked it to the Banerjee government's failure to check the exodus outside the state for work. The change in the messaging of the ruling TMC is stark. It came to power in 2011 riding on not just the Tata Nato agitation but also the anti-land acquisition protest against a pharmaceutical hub in Nandigram. The party's politics was encapsulated by the slogan 'Maa, Maati, Manush', first raised during the Singur movement, signifying its commitment to the disadvantaged and minorities above all. In March this year, the Banerjee government passed the Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations in the Nature of Grants And Incentives Act, which took away all incentives granted to industries since 1993, with retrospective effect. The legislation said, 'The object of this Act is to make state finances available for various social welfare schemes formulated and under operation in the state of West Bengal… and not to expend such finances to provide special assistance, financial incentives, state support, benefits, concessions or special privileges at the cost of the marginalised.' An official said the incentives were revoked as the state government 'was going to introduce a new industrial policy'. Sources said the policy was in the drafting stage. An industrialist said they are hoping that this new policy is unveiled soon, and that it smoothens the process of getting licences. 'We basically want a one-window system. The administration should also take strong steps against extortion and local hooliganism.' However, some like cement maker Nuvoco Vistas Corporation are not impressed. Last month, it informed the stock exchange that its wholly owned subsidiary NU Vista had filed a writ petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. Nuvoco said incentives of Rs 2,427.14 crore and Rs 2,300.44 crore to be received by Nuvoco and NU Vista were likely to be impacted because of the Act. During a recent visit to West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted the 'poor state' of industry in the state, saying: 'At the time of Independence, Bengal's share in India's industrial production stood at 30%… Today, it is down to a mere 3.5%… In 1960, Bengal's per capita income was 105% of Maharashtra. Now, it's not even half… I want to ask Mamata Didi and the Communists (the Left was in power for 34 years, before being unseated by the TMC), who is responsible for this?' Shah also criticised the Congress, which ruled the state for a long time. The BJP later posted on X: 'Under Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal is sinking economically: GSDP growth is below the national average (4.3%), per capita income is 20% lower than the national average, GDP share dropped from 6.8% in 1990-91 to 5.8% in 2021-22, female labour force participation is lower than the national average, the Gross Enrolment Ratios, at both Higher Secondary (2015-16) and Higher Education (2021) levels, are less than the national average. The state has a high fiscal deficit, a high debt-to-GDP ratio and a higher revenue deficit than the national average.' Hitting back, Banerjee accused Shah of 'speaking a garbage of lies'. 'He claimed our state is zero in industry, but we are No. 1 in the MSME sector. He claimed we could not build roads, but we are No. 1 in that,' she said. A recent working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) presented a mixed picture for West Bengal. While its share in India's GDP nearly halved from 10.5% in 1960-61 to 5.6% in 2023-24, the state has brought down its fiscal deficit – from around 4.24% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) under the Left, to about 3.0 % by 2018-19. During the Covid pandemic, even as economic conditions were uniformly impacted, the Bengal government managed to not let the deficit balloon, and it stood at 3.26 % of the GSDP by the end of the 2022-23 financial year. In her Budget speech this year, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, 'West Bengal's GSDP grew by 6.8% in 2024-25, outpacing India's overall growth rate of 6.37%. The industrial sector registered a growth of 7.3%, significantly higher than India's 6.2%, while agriculture and allied sectors grew by 4.2%, compared to India's 3.8%. The services sector is also growing faster, at a rate of 7.8%, surpassing India's 7.2%.' About the Banerjee government's industry push, CPI(M) Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty said, 'Mamata Banerjee knows the people's anger is increasing. Now, she is trying to rectify by invoking 'Bengali' sentiments and meeting the Tata Chairman. But, people won't be mollified.' BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said, 'Mamata Banerjee will not get a chance to do industrialisation. The people of Bengal gave her 15 long years for this and she failed… We have to create an industry-friendly, investment-friendly atmosphere. We have told the industrialists, please wait for a year.'.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision
The last 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.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision
The last 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 . Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata's former assistant and currently General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at , owns this final Nano. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 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.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Who owns the last Nano car built by Tatas? He shares an emotional post for Ratan Tata
The Tata Nano , though not the most refined or feature-rich car in the market, holds an unshakable place in India's automotive history because of the emotion and vision it carried. It wasn't built to outclass global sedans or SUVs—it was created to bring dignity and safety to middle-class Indian families. The Nano stood as the embodiment of a heartfelt promise made by the legendary Indian industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, the late Sir Ratan Tata . Now, an emotional chapter in the Nano's journey has resurfaced, as Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata's former assistant, recently shared photos of the very last Nano that was ever built. Shantanu Naidu, who currently serves as the general manager and head of strategic initiatives at Tata Motors , marked the occasion on Instagram through a heartfelt post shared on his personal account and the Sock Talks TV page. In the post, he stood beside the final unit of the Tata Nano—a white-colored car affectionately named "Lily." According to Naidu, Lily holds more significance than being just a vehicle. Now six years old, this compact car has, in his words, carried the weight of his world. To him, she is a living reminder of a fulfilled promise, a vessel of memories, and a tribute to an engineering dream that was both bold and compassionate. 'She's a memory keeper, evidence of a promise kept, and a whisper of an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten. Thank you, Lily, for your loyalty and love, despite all the battle-scar dents. Happy sixth to the last Nano from the shop floor," on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sock Talks (@ The genesis of the Tata Nano traces back to a poignant moment when Ratan Tata witnessed a family of four braving the rain on a two-wheeler. That incident deeply moved him and planted the seed for an affordable car that could give common families both protection and dignity. His goal: a fully functional, four-wheeled vehicle priced around ₹1 lakh. That vision became a reality in 2008 when the Tata Nano was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo. Billed as the 'World's Cheapest Car,' the Nano generated massive excitement and secured more than 2 lakh bookings in its early days. It was dubbed the 'People's Car,' and for a brief moment, it looked like a revolution in mobility had arrived. However, the Nano's journey was not without challenges. Initially slated to be manufactured in Singur, West Bengal, the project was relocated to Sanand, Gujarat, due to major protests over land acquisition. Despite its innovative engineering and intention, the Nano's fate faltered because of how it was perceived. Being labeled a 'cheap' car damaged its image, making it less appealing to aspirational buyers. Even Ratan Tata later conceded that strategic missteps in marketing played a significant role in its downfall. As a result, despite its value and potential, the Nano's production was discontinued. The Nano was a small yet practical hatchback, measuring under 3.2 meters in length. It featured a rear-mounted 624cc two-cylinder petrol engine that delivered 38 PS of power and 51 Nm of torque. Initially launched with a 4-speed manual transmission, later models included an AMT (automated manual transmission). Its compact size didn't compromise interior space, comfortably seating four adults, and it delivered an impressive fuel efficiency of around 23 kmpl. Though no longer in production, the Tata Nano remains a powerful symbol of Sir Ratan Tata's compassionate vision. Each Nano still seen on Indian roads stands as a rolling tribute to a man whose dreams went beyond business—dreams built on empathy, innovation, and service to the nation.
India.com
05-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Who was Cyrus Mistry, a billionaire who clashed with Ratan Tata due to..., he was once chairman of...
Who was Cyrus Mistry, a billionaire who clashed with Ratan Tata due to..., he was once chairman of... Cyrus Mistry Birthday: When we talk about Tata Group, one name which comes in our minds is undoubtedly Ratan Tata. But there is also another man who shares bitter-sweet relationship with the Tata group. Love him or hate him you can't ignore him. The name is Cyrus Mistry who tragically died in a road accident on September 4 2022. Cyrus Mistry was the chairman of Tata Group company Tata Sons between 2012 and 2016. He was born on July 4 1968 in a Parsi family in Bombay (now Mumbai). He was the youngest son of Pallonji Mistry of Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry Group. His mother was an Irish woman. His father also later became a citizen of Ireland. Later Cyrus Mistry also took Irish citizenship. Apart from this, he was also a permanent citizen of India. Where did he study from? Cyrus Mistry did his early education from Mumbai. Later he went to London for higher education. After completing his studies, he started working in the family's Pallonji Group in the year 1991. In the year 1994, he became a director in the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. This group works in sectors ranging from clothing to real estate, hospitality, business automation, etc. Did you know… Cyrus Mistry joined Tata Sons in 2006. He was included in the board of Tata Sons. The reason for this was that his family group had the largest stake in Tata Sons. After 2010, Ratan Tata retired from Tata Group. In such a situation, after a lot of search, Cyrus Mistry was made his successor. In 2012, he became the chairman of Tata Sons. During that time when he was the chairman of the group, he also clashed with former group chairman Ratan Tata . However, he was later removed from this post. But he kept fighting for his rights till the end. Cyrus Mistry was also the MD of Shapoorji Pallonji Group. Shapoorji Pallonji Group has a major stake in Tata Sons. When Cyrus Mistry was removed from the Tata Group, he went to court against it. When he got the responsibility of Tata Group, he was the first person in the nearly 100-year history of Tata Group whose surname was not 'Tata' and yet he became the group chairman. The reason for this was his family's closeness with the Tata Group. Cyrus Mistry was accused of… It is said that Cyrus Mistry could not handle the legacy of Tata. During this time, Ratan Tata also had a tussle with Cyrus Mistry over the Tata Nano car. The result was that in 2016, Cyrus Mistry was removed from his post and Ratan Tata again became the interim chairman of Tata Group. Against this, Cyrus Mistry opened a front against Ratan Tata and Tata Group and the matter reached the Supreme Court. However, later the decision came in favor of Tata Group.
