About: the world this week, 6 October to 12 October 2024: Israel’s War; India’s Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir; Deadly Air Show in Chennai; West Bengal Doctors; and ta-ta Ratan N Tata.

Everywhere

Israel in Lebanon: What Next?

The suspense over Israel’s ‘revenge attack’ on Iran’s unwarranted 200 missile rain on Israel continues. Will Israel take down Iran’s nuclear facilities? Or will it be the Oil Fields? Will it be weapons facilities? Or will it be something the Middle East has never seen before? Thinking on the same lines, Israel has said, “the strike on Iran will be precise and unexpected; they won’t know what hit them”.

Meanwhile, Israel marked the 1st Anniversary of Hamas’ barbarism of 7th October 2023 by pounding Hezbollah bases in Southern Lebanon, to pre-empt attacks on its people in northern Israel. The ground forces discovered the ‘signature terror tunnels’ in Lebanon too-one even crossed the border into Israel. And Hezbollah still keeps slipping those rockets into Israel despite its leadership being in complete disarray. Nobody wants to be the Chief – that’s an easy Israeli target.

There are still about 101 hostages struggling in Hamas’ tunnels of hell in the Gaza Strip. And the fighting goes on.

India’s Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir

Counting of votes in the just concluded State Elections in India’s Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Haryana took place on 8th October. The results were shocking and beyond expectations, knocking the wind out of the sails of India’s Grand Old Party, the Congress, which believed that it would, without doubt, win. The unexpected results could probably be the final nail in the coffin of the exit poll industry.

Opinion polls predicted a ‘hand’some victory for the Congress – only the margin was debatable. In the end, the Congress finished with 37 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) comfortable majority of 48 seats in the 90 member Legislature. The BJP ducked the loud anti-incumbency factor and created history by winning a third consecutive term. This is unprecedented and record breaking. Haryana has become the 5th state where the BJP has won three elections back-to-back. Other States being, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

In J&K, no party could secure a majority on its own and it will be a coalition with the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC)’s 42 seats and Congress’ 6 seats adding up to form a Government. The winner was actually the BJP coming-up with its best performance in the State so far, grabbing a vote share of 25.64% and winning 29 seats. The JKNC secured a vote share of 23.43% and the Congress 11.97%.

The fluent win in Haryana and the spirited fight in J&K destroyed the ghosts of the BJP’s unexpected loss in the Lok Sabha Elections where it fell short of a majority on its own and depends on allies to form the Government.

The renowned ‘Jalebi’ (a juicy sweet) in Haryana’s Gohana became an overnight sensation with Congress’ Rahul Gandhi campaigning that the BJP wasn’t allowing Jalebis to be made in factories. “If his(alluding to Mathu Ram – a famous sweets maker) Jalebi is and sold in other states and is also exported, then 20,000 – 50,000 people can work in his factory, one day”. Adding that traders like Mathu Ram have been hurt by the Centre’s tax policies.

The Jalebi is made of pure desi ghee, is crispy, yet soft. Each Jalebi tips the scales at 250gm and a box of four, about a kilogram costs Rs 320. The shelf life is about a week.

After the victory, the BJP promptly dispatched boxes of Jalebis to the Congress’ Offices. It’s not known how well they were received!

It was awfully disturbing that the Congress Party created a stir by refusing to accept the results blaming everybody except themselves for the poor showing and even the Electronic Voting Machines. They believed it was their right to win – victory ‘unfairly’ snatched away by the BJP. This has become a signature reaction of a falling, fumbling, and failing Congress.

Air Show: Death on the Ground

The Indian Air Force (IAF) was formally constituted on 8 October 1932, as an auxiliary force of Britain’s Royal Air Force. After India’s independence, this day came to be celebrated annually as the IAF Day. And various spectacular events such as Parades, Air Shows, and Exhibitions, that depicted the capabilities and advancements of the IAF are organised, to kindle and draw young Indians to join the IAF.

This year, 2024 – the 92nd IAF Day-the theme was, Bharatiya Vayu Sena- Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar (Potent, Powerful, Self-Reliant). In celebration, an Air Show was arranged on Sunday, 6th October, above Chennai’s iconic Marina Beach, in the space between the Lighthouse and Chennai Port. The clear blue Chennai sky was expected to provide a fascinating view of action in the skies.

The aerial display was indeed spectacular and captivating, showcasing the prowess and manoeuvrability of the IAF aircraft including the new supersonic Rafale. The Show commenced with the Special Guard Force commandos conducting a simulated rescue operation and freeing a hostage. Para-jump instructors making an accurate landing on the target area and the commandos slithering in to reach the target area held the spectators spellbound.

Nearly 72 aircraft took part, which is set to enter the Limca Book of World Records. About 50 aircraft indulged in a formation showering flares. Heritage aircraft, Dakota, Harvard, Tejas, Sukhoi Su-30, and Sarang participated in the aerial salute. The Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet performed the ‘Loop-tumble-yaw’ (rotating in mid-air while ascending at high speed) manoeuvre; the Suryakiran, the nation’s pride, the indigenously manufactured state-of-the-art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand took part in the flypast and aerial display.

The grand finale was a breathtaking performance by the Sarang helicopter display team that performed a stunning aerial manoeuvre. The Rafale streaking across the sky and demonstrating refuelling capability, and the Dakota in action was a sight to behold.

Meanwhile, on the ground about 15 lakh people had slowly gathered, trickling-in from as early as 7am in the morning. And began packing themselves like sardines into the beach, under the unfettered sun, in the suffocating October heat, upto the start of the show at 11am.

The India Meteorological Department’s Meenambakkam weather station, about 7 km away, recorded a maximum temperature of 34.3°C, a degree over normal and a relative humidity of 80%, with the two combining for a steep wet-bulb value of 31.26°C-a level at which prolonged exposure to the heat, such as attendees at the IAF event were subject to, can be fatal. Enthusiastic families had gathered on the sands of the Marina beach, many holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the blazing sun.

This perfect storm of unseemly weather and administrative lapses coalesced, when five people died and nearly 100 were hospitalised following the air show at the Marina Beach. The muggy Chennai weather catalysed the crisis.

The Tamil Nadu Government claimed it was well-prepared, but somehow the arrangements were not enough and found wanting in many dimensions. The State Chief Minister attributed the deaths to ‘extreme heat and various medical reasons;’ and said that although agencies coordinated to avoid crowding, the number of people was ‘much higher than expected’. That’s a revelation. Better luck next time?

West Bengal Doctors

This Monday, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed its first charge-sheet in the horrific West Bengal, RG Kar Hospital, Kolkatta, rape and murder case, which shook the nation this August. It charged civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy-who was almost immediately arrested after the incident came to light-with the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. There was no mention of a gang rape and Roy was the only accused. The charge-sheet detailed the circumstances, nature of injuries, cause of death, and produced irrefutable evidence to pin-down Roy: examination by the Courts, and a final judgement is awaited.

On Tuesday, at least 48 senior doctors and faculty of the RG Kar Hospital submitted a mass resignation letter, and those at two other State-run facilities threatened a similar move, in support of the junior medics who have been observing an indefinite hunger strike since last week, demanding justice and better safety measures. By Wednesday, the stir by doctors intensified further with more senior doctors in various State-run hospitals tendering their resignation and junior doctors planning to take their protest to other parts of Kolkata.

Ratan Naval Tata: Titan Industrialist – a ‘Noble’ Legend

When asked on how he would like to be remembered Ratan Tata famously said, ‘I’d like to be remembered as a person who made a difference. Not anything more, not anything less”.

This week, the head of India’s foremost Industries behemoth – Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons – of the Tata Group of Companies passed away at the ripe old age of 86-due to old age related problems.

When Ratan Tata took over the Tata Empire in 1991 from JRD Tata, at the age of 53, it was run by ‘warlords’ with each one jealously guarding his fiefdom and smacking their knuckles at the new Tata kid on the block. Ratan faced stiff resistance from the heads of various subsidiaries, who had a large amount of operational freedom under JRD Tata. One of Ratan’s first acts as Chairman was to bring down the ‘tough three’ satraps: Russi Modi of the Steel division; Ajit Kerkar heading the Taj Hotel chain; and Darbari Seth in Tata Chemicals. The three ruled their ‘kingdoms’ without permitting any interference from the Tata Group Head Office at Bombay House, in Mumbai.

In response, Ratan Tata implemented a number of policies designed to consolidate power, including the implementation of a retirement age, having subsidiaries report directly to the group office, and contribute their profit to building the Tata Group brand.

Gradually, from a shy, under confident youth, whose credentials as a business executive were uninspiring at the start, Ratan blossomed into a larger-than-life chairperson of the Tata Group. He gave the Tata Group new visibility and prominence through a series of bold gambles. The simple ’T & wreath of leaves’ Tata logo got a trendy makeover, transforming into an oval blue tree of knowledge – a fluidity logo.

The year 1991 was also the year that the Licence Raj ended in India and path-breaking reforms were unleashed, which would forever change business in India.

Ratan Tata had worked his way up from the Shop Floor of Tata Steel and on rising up the ranks to a managerial Level had turned around a Tata Group subsidiary – National Radio and Electronics (NELCO) only to see it collapse during an economic slowdown.

During the 21 years Ratan led the Tata Group, revenue grew over 40 times, and profit over 50 times. When he took over, sales overwhelmingly comprised commodity sales, but at the end of his tenure, the majority of sales came from brands. He had Tata Tea acquire Tetley, Tata Motors acquire Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Steel acquire Corus. These acquisitions repositioned Tata from a largely India-centric group into a cohesive global business, with over 65% of revenues coming from operations and sales internationally.

During his period, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) founded in 1968 by FC Kholi – widely acknowledged as the father of Indian Information Technology -grew phenomenally, entering the software industry, and later with S Ramadorai at the helm it became the kingpin of the Tata Group’s revenues. Ratan Tata boldly made TCS public in 2004, though keeping the majority of shares with Tata Sons.

Ratan Tata conceptualised and spearheaded Tata’s foray into passenger car manufacturing in India, first with the Tata Indica and then the Tata Nano. Even before this, he tinkered with cars, launching the Tata Estate and the Tata Safari, riding on the back of Tata Motors, which was already a formidable player in the Truck market in India making Trucks, Buses, and Vans.

As on 2023, Tata has products and services in over 150 countries, and operations in 100 countries across six continents. The combined market capitalisation of Tata Companies is USD 365 Billion as on 31 March 2024. Its revenue was more than USD 165 Billion in 2023-24.

Ratan Tata through the Tata Trusts contributes liberally to philanthropy supporting various programmes in education, medicine, and rural development.

Ratan Tata was the son of Naval Tata, who was adopted by Ratanji Tata, the son of the Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, who, besides several other pioneering ventures, envisaged India’s first steel mill, first hydroelectric plant and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.

Ratan Tata graduated from America’s Cornell University’s College of Architecture with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He joined the Tata Group in 1961, where he began his career, first working on the shop floor of Tata Steel.

JRD Tata famously started India’s first Airline, Tata Airlines, which later became Air India after being taken over by the Government, and returned to the Tata fold in a privatisation move during Ratan Tata’s tenure.

Jamsetji Tata, the founder, had two sons Dorabji Tata and Ratanji Tata who died childless; hence ‘enter the future Titan’, after JRD Tata – a first cousin of Ratanji Tata- who was also childless.

In 1948, when Ratan Tata was 10, his parents separated, and he was then adopted and raised by Navajbai Tata, his grandmother and widow of Ratanji Tata. He has a younger brother Jimmy Tata, and a half-brother, Noel Tata, from Naval Tata’s second marriage to Simone Dunoyer -Simone Tata – who became his stepmother. His biological mother was Soonoo Tata-the niece of Tata group founder Jamsetji Tata.

While in the United States he fell in love with a girl in Los Angeles but had to return to India due to his grandmother’s illness and could not progress the relationship to marriage. The girls’s parents refused to allow her to come to India at the time of the 1962 Indo-China war. Ratan Tata never married and had no children. In 2011, he said, “I came close to getting married four times and each time I backed off in fear or for one reason or another”.

Ratan Tata was known as an animal lover. His last venture was the Small Animal Hospital (SAHM), a clinic dedicated to pets, in Mumbai. It was the first of its kind in the country, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. He once skipped a prestigious lifetime philanthropic achievement award function in the United Kingdom as one of his dogs- Tango and Tito – had fallen ill and he could not leave. Then there is the story of ‘Goa’, a stray puppy that managed to climb into a colleague’s car in Goa and ended up in Bombay House – where there is an in-house kennel and stray dogs are treated like Kings!

Not much is spoken about Ratan Tata’s incredible sense of humour. Once, when asked by a young girl in the audience on what excites him most, he retorted, “How can I answer that it public?” He is also known to have exceptional mimicry skills, besides painting.

Ratan epitomised the Tata tradition of simplicity, in both business and his personal life. His lifestyle was modest compared to India’s Business magnates. He had almost no security outside his home. His business exploits earned Ratan such adulatory titles as ‘India’s best brand ambassador’ and ‘A model of corporate responsibility’. The two major Tata trusts are among the world’s largest philanthropic enterprises of which he is the chairperson.

Ratan Tata was unquestionably India’s most respected businessman, even though by the standards of India’s wealthiest billionaires he was relatively poor. But by virtue of his position as chairperson of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which own 66% of Tata Sons, the holding company for India’s largest and most prestigious business house, he was more powerful than any other Indian businessman.

There is hardly any noteworthy scandal about him barring a mild hiccup over the unceremonious sacking of the previous Chairman of Tata Sons, which the Courts have said is OK. And there is a story of the Radia Tapes Controversy in the Tata Teleservices case, which issue did not have meat.

Everyone is saying a good man passed away. In the end Rata Tata was a genuinely good person. And has set an example. It’s up to us to follow.

The Tata Family and the Future

Ratan Tata’s half-sisters, Shireen and Deanna Jejeebhoy, are from their mother Soonoo’s second marriage to Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy. Information about their other sister, Geeta is unknown. Ratan Tata’s Half-brother, Noel Tata’s daughters, Leah Tata and Maya Tata are both involved in the Tata Group’s businesses. Leah works with the Indian Hotels Company Limited, while Maya, reportedly a favourite of Ratan Tata, has played a significant role in launching the Tata Neu App. Noel’s son Neville married Manasi Kirloskar, and they have two children, Jamset Tata and Tiana Tata. Neville focuses on Trent’s Zudio brand, while Manasi is involved in Kirloskar businesses.

Late in the week, Noel Tata was appointed as Chairman of Tata Trusts.

The Nobel Prizes are being announced and there are some interesting stories about them: that’s coming up new week.

More sweet and sour stories coming-up in the weeks ahead. Stay with World Inthavaaram. Ta-ta.