On October 9, Ratan TataThe iconic industrialist and philanthropist, who led the Tata Group on its journey to becoming a global superpower, passed away at a hospital in Mumbai at the age of 86. His demise has left the entire nation in mourning, including those who knew him for his kindness and compassion towards stray animals.

Earlier this year, an HR professional, who stayed at the group’s prestigious Taj Mahal hotel, shared a photo of a stray dog ​​inside the hotel premises on social media. Ruby Khan, curious about the dog’s presence, asked the staff about it. He explained that while the dog was a part of the hotel since birth, Ratan Tata personally ensured that any animal entering the premises was treated kindly. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Khan shared his appreciation for the hotel’s values.

“This scenario highlighted a profound truth for me: Amidst leading and running a business while remaining customer-focused, the true soul of a business is reflected in how it treats others. We often talk about inclusion, bias, psychological safety, and emotional intelligence. I saw all these principles in action here. It’s a good balance of mind and heart, being authentic and not worrying about what others will think when entering this prestigious property,” she wrote in her post.

And this was not an isolated incident. Her social media often reflected her heartfelt messages supporting animal rights, and her actions spoke louder than words. Known as an ardent supporter of animal rights, Ratan Tata once even skipped a royal event at London’s Buckingham Palace to be with his pet dog, who had fallen ill. And, one of his last projects was India’s first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art pet hospital – Tata Trusts Small Animal Hospital – which he inaugurated in July this year.

Also read: Ratan Tata’s last ‘dream project’ is still in progress

Anyone who knew Tata was also aware of his love for stray animals, especially dogs, who were even allowed inside the Tata Group headquarters in Mumbai. In 2018, he had ordered that all stray animals be allowed to use the space as per their convenience, and seek shelter whenever they wish. “Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, is also home to some of our best friends. In fact, they are the only citizens who can get inside without an access card,” the group’s website reads. In fact, when the headquarters was renovated a spoke access door was built for the convenience of stray dogs.

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