MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE LEGEND

?One Monday afternoon in the summer of 2018 - I was visiting one of the Tata Group Cos - housed in Elphinstone Building at Horniman Circle , Mumbai.

Having travelled ?from Delhi for this one meeting - which went off rather well - I was elated and was planning a cab straight to the airport for the return flight.

?Being on the ?2nd floor?and avoiding lifts for health reasons ??- I started walking down the steps and saw?Mr Ratan Tata waiting at the first floor lift lobby, ?along with a young?person who I assumed was his assistant.

?Wanting to get a closer look , I hurried down?the steps and waited at the lift exit. Within a few moments?Mr Tata emerged along with the same person .

?He looked at me and nodded his head with a smile, which was unexpected?and I could, at best muster a return nod but the smile was perhaps forgotten in the moment.

?The two walked ahead slowly through the hall and out of the exit towards the road.

?They walked on slowly - while still in soft discussion up-to?the road - where his car was waiting with the driver still sitting behind the steering?wheel - who made no attempt to come out and open the door for the boss - this was a surprise for me - since neither the assistant?reach out to help.

?Mr Tata opened the font passenger door himself while still in conversation which?continued?on for a few moments more - before getting into the car and putting on his seat belt and the car sped away.?

No help - no hangers on - no entourage - no fanfare - no uniformed security running around fussing over him- that too on a public thoroughfare.

?My sole encounter with the 'Legend' , ?was a profound transformation ?and every narration of the short episode gives me the goosebumps.

?It is these brief , rather insignificant interactions that stay with us, offering a glimpse into the core values of a person ?like him.

?Rata Tata's humility and kind hardheartedness?is well recorded and he shall go down in history as the Compassionate Leader of People - leaving behind a legacy not easily emulated.