Ratan Tata’s memorable visit to Surat in 2018

Surat : Ratan Tata, India’s iconic industrialist and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, had a profound connection with Surat, the bustling diamond city in Gujarat. Born on December 28, 1937, during the British regime in the Bombay Presidency, Tata’s roots trace back to the Parsi community in Gujarat. His father, Naval Tata, was born in Surat, further deepening the family’s historical ties to the city.

Tata’s last visit to Surat took place on May 3, 2018. It was a significant occasion, as he was invited by Govind Dholakia, the chairman of Shri Ramkrishna Exports (SRK) and now the BJP Member of Parliament from Surat. During this visit, Tata was not just visiting a modern diamond powerhouse, but also reconnecting with his family’s heritage in the Parsi community of Surat.

Upon his arrival, Tata went straight to Shahpore, a historic part of the city, where he visited the grand Parsi General Hospital and the Surat Parsi Punchayat office. These landmarks hold great significance for the Parsi community, and Tata’s visit was seen as a nod to his familial roots. From Shahpore, Tata made his way to the SRK diamond factory in Katargam, where he was warmly welcomed by Dholakia and his family.

Reflecting on his visit to Surat after 20 years, Tata shared his admiration for the city’s rapid development. “Surat is khoobsurat (beautiful),” he said, emphasizing how sitting in Mumbai often masks the incredible progress made in other parts of India. “Surat is a prime example of the progress that the country has made,” Tata remarked during his visit.

The purpose of his trip was not merely symbolic. Tata had made a personal promise to Govind Dholakia and his family to visit their diamond factory. This promise stemmed from an earlier invitation when the Santokba Award was conferred upon him in 2017. Although he was unable to attend the award ceremony then, Tata assured the Dholakia family that he would make time to visit them in the future.

At the SRK diamond unit, Tata was deeply impressed by the advanced diamond cutting and polishing processes. He praised the company’s research and development efforts, expressing amazement at the scale and sophistication of the operations. “I never thought that we do this in India and that too in Surat,” Tata commented. His admiration extended to the possibility of India applying similar expertise in other sectors, such as electronics.

Tata also spoke with the younger members of the Dholakia family, discussing the differences between professionally-run companies like Tata and family-run businesses like SRK. He highlighted the challenges family businesses often face, especially when multiple generations are involved. Despite these challenges, Tata encouraged diversification as a key to success in the business world.

Known for his humility and focus on social welfare, Tata reflected on his legacy. He expressed a desire not to be remembered solely as a wealth creator, but as someone who made a meaningful difference in the lives of ordinary people. He credited his achievements to the opportunities he received in India, stating, “Had I not been born here, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I wanted to do to help people.”

Interestingly, Tata’s connection with Surat extended even further, as Titan watches—manufactured by the Tata Group—source diamonds from the Surat-based company, creating yet another bond between the iconic industrialist and the city.