A shareholder had come to Ratan Tata while offering a few guests and put a garland around his neck. Few others on the site wanted him to sign the signature on the annual report at Kolkata.
He chaired a major Tata Group Company annual general meeting for the last time on Friday was teary eyed on the emotional moments. He had obliged to the garlands and the urges for him to sign the annual report.
Ratan Tata would retire as the head of the Tata Group this December after he turns 75. He is currently the head of the $83.3 billion Tata group which has a share in most commodities ranging from Salt to Software.
An emotional Ratan Tata standing before the shareholders of the Tata Global Beverages LTD (TGBL) AGM said that it was his last opportunity to stand before them and urged them to let him stand when the people amicably asked him to be seated.
A shareholder amongst the all said that he was a deserving candidate for the highest civilian award of the nation, Bharat Ratna. Tata who was already felicitated with the honors of being a Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, had not spoken and humbly remained silent.
He had thanked all the shareholders for holding him in high regard and for their warm hospitality. "This has been an equally emotional meeting for me. I think the warmth, the sincerity and the affection that has been displayed is something I will carry back with me through the remaining life of me.
He added, "I am an emotional person. And I will not forget what you have meant to me in the years that I have needed you."
Many of the shareholders were concerned about the Singur issue and and asked him about the future plans in West Bengal. Tata was not angered when the people asked him about it, just was silenced by the fact that he could not have done anything about it. He mentioned that he would soon open a Tata Motors factory in West Bengal and asked the people to show the same affection.
He said, "I lived six years in Jamshedpur, at that time I used to be in Calcutta off and on. I have an affinity to this part of the country which is why we tried to bring a car manufacturing facility here."
Tata merrily shook hands with the frenzied shareholder who were in a rush to see him up-close. He had no message or expression when he was asked by the journalists if he had something to say to Mamata Banerjee.
(AW- Anil)
