Mr Mathews said Ratan Tata was committed to India’s economic and social progress.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Expressing deep sorrow over the death of iconic industrialist Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and Chairman of Tata Trusts at the age of 86, IBS Software Executive Chairman VK Mathews on Thursday recalled some encounters with the legend.

“What struck me most was his humility. Furthermore, his sense of humor brought lightness to the room, even in serious moments, making him even more endearing,” said Mr. Mathews.

On a personal note, Mr Mathews said: “I had the privilege of spending some time with Ratan Tata during a trip to the US, and two incidents from that visit will always stay with me.

“One morning we were having breakfast together at his own hotel in New York, but per his instructions he never identified himself to the wait staff. It was a small but significant gesture of his humility,” he said.

“Later that same day, my family and I happened to run into him at another restaurant. To my surprise, there he was, personally verifying and correcting his food bill before paying with his credit card – such a simple thing, but it spoke volumes about his character,” Mathews said.

“With his characteristic humor, Ratan Tata asked me: ‘Ah, am I chasing you, or are you chasing me?’ That light-hearted comment reflected his ability to connect with others no matter the situation,” Mathews recalled.

Mr Mathews said the demise of the charismatic business leader was a great loss to the business community and the nation.

“Ratan Tata was a visionary leader who embodied the energy, hope and success of emerging India. More than just a visionary entrepreneur, Ratan Tata was a leader with a deep and genuine commitment to India’s economic and social progress,” said Mr. Mathews, who is also Chairman of the Group of Technology Companies (GTech), which consists of innovative startups. small and medium businesses in Kerala.

“Despite all his achievements, he always remained down to earth and approachable,” said Mathews, whose IBS Software was one of the first IT companies to set up shop here at the state-run Technopark IT campus.

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