New Delhi: Ratan Tata’s handwritten letter to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, thanking him for the major economic reforms that have in many ways shaped today’s India, has gone viral. RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka shared the letter from 1996, paying his heartfelt tribute to the late industrialist Ratan Tata.
In the letter, Tata acknowledged the reforms that brought major changes in India’s outlook and economy. For the unversed, Narasimha Rao is often called the ‘Father of Indian Economic Reforms’ for bringing in the much-need economic reforms in the form of liberalisation and globalisation which changed the fortunes of India in the coming years.
“Every Indian should owe you a debt of gratitude for the courageous and far-sighted “opening up” of India,” Tata wrote in the letter, lauding Rao.
The letter clearly states “personal” at the top of the page. Dated August 27, 1996, it was penned on stationery from Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group.
Sharing the letter, Goenka captioned, “Beautiful writing from a beautiful person….”
Read the letter:
August 27, 1996
Dear Mr. Narasimha Rao,
As I read the recent spate of unkind references to you, I felt compelled to write you to tell you that while others’ memories may be short, I will always recognize and respect your outstanding achievement in heralding much-needed economic reforms in India. You and your government put India on the world map in an economic sense and made us part of a global community. Every Indian should owe you a debt of gratitude for the courageous and far-sighted “opening up” of India. I believe personally that your achievements are momentous and outstanding – and they should never be forgotten.
The purpose of this letter is just to tell you that my thoughts and best wishes are with you at this time, and that you can have at least one person who has not, and will never, forget what you have done for India.
With warm personal regards,
Yours sincerely,
Ratan
