Popular Indian industrialist, Ratan Tata is the Chairman of Tata Sons and is the head of Tata Motors' charitable trusts. The recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2008) and Padma Bhushan (2000). Ratan Tata was the Chairman of Tata Group from 1990 to 2012 and is often regarded as one of the most respected industrialists in the history of India. From his philanthropy work, humble lifestyle, and always spreading the message of giving it back to society, Ratan Tata has inspired generations with his work to better this nation.
Even at the age of 84, Ratan Tata continues to deliver wisdom to society with his interviews and gestures during his public appearances. The businessman had also never indulged in any controversies and was quite transparent about his work. However, a famous incident happened back in 2011, when Ratan Tata had shared his views on fellow industrialist, Mukesh Ambani living in a luxurious house worth Rs. 15,000 crores, and it had bought him both love and hate. Here's everything you need to know about it!
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It was in May 2011, when in an interview with The Times, Indian business tycoon, Ratan Tata had opened up about fellow industrialist, Mukesh Ambani's luxurious lifestyle. Ratan Tata was asked to share his views on Mukesh Ambani living in a 27-storey skyscraper worth Rs. 15,000 crores in Mumbai.
Answering this, Ratan Tata, who prefers to keep a modest lifestyle, had stated that income inequality in India is second to none and had also added that the country needs its rich people to allocate a small portion of their enormous wealth to the development of the poor people. Ratan Tata had explained:
"It makes me wonder why someone would do that. That's what revolutions are made of. The person who lives in there should be concerned about what he sees around him and [asking] can he make a difference. If he is not, then it's sad because this country needs people to allocate some of their enormous wealth to finding ways of mitigating the hardship that people have. We are doing so little about the disparity. We are allowing it to be there and wishing it away."
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When Ratan Tata's remarks about the income disparity in India, in the context of his fellow business tycoon, Mukesh Ambani had made their way into the media, it had created a huge controversy. While some media reports had claimed that Ratan Tata had accused Mukesh Ambani of not giving it back to the society, some speculated that Ratan Tata was jealous of Mukesh Ambani's luxurious house, Antilia.
However, during this controversy, Ratan Tata had received huge applause and a positive response from people over his statement that wealthy Indian millionaires were not doing enough to help the poor in different parts and sections of the society.
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However, when things had started getting complicated in the media, a spokesperson of the Tata Sons had come forward and had stated that the Indian media had sensationalised Ratan Tata's comments. The spokesperson had explained that Ratan Tata's statements weren't about Mukesh Ambani or his house, Antilia. The spokesperson had said:
"We would also like to clarify on stories in Indian media regarding Mr Ambani's home. The report is out of context and factually incorrect. Mr Tata's comments on wealth are in the larger context of the growing disparity in society. The comments seem to have been deliberately sensationalised."
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After some time, the controversy fizzled out, but many reports in the media and netizens had suggested that it was a masterstroke by Ratan Tata to take a dig at Mukesh Ambani's fancy lifestyle and spending Rs. 15,000 crores on his house, Antilia. The netizens had lauded Ratan Tata for reacting to the massive spectacle of wealth by the Indian billionaire, Mukesh Ambani.
Also, popular film director, Prakash Jha and Indian historian, Ramachandra Guha had criticised Mukesh Ambani for constructing such an expensive property. However, there's no denying that many people were on Mukesh Ambani's side and had appreciated the billionaire for fulfilling his dreams with his hard-earned money.
For the unversed, before moving into Antilia in 2011, Mukesh Ambani and his wife and kids used to live with his brother, Anil Ambani, his wife, Tina Ambani and their kids, Jai Anmol Ambani and Jai Anshul Ambani. The brothers had purchased the entire Sea Wind building, one of the most expensive properties in Mumbai city during that time. The 17-storey building was located on the Southernmost tip of Mumbai city in the Cuffe Parade area. It is the same house, which the late Dhirubhai Ambani had called 'home' in most of his interviews.
What are your views on Ratan Tata's remark about Indian billionaires not doing enough for their nation, or do you think everyone is too hard on Mukesh Ambani's dream home, Antilia? Let us know!
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