NORTH START 💥
Back in 2018, I was living life to the fullest—playing cricket, enjoying card games, and attending school just to pull pranks. I roamed around aimlessly, hardly studying, and definitely not passing my exams. At that time, I thought life was all about enjoyment, and worrying about responsibilities was just “not cool.” You might have heard about the power of expectation and how manifestation can help you reach your goals. But have you ever considered the power of not expecting anything? As Charlie Munger famously said, “The reason I smoke a cigar, play poker, and earn billions at the age of 99 is because I had lowered my expectations.” I realized that I had to stop assuming someone else would bring about change in my life. My parents tried so hard to guide me, but my stubbornness remained unshaken.
It took time, but I began to understand that sometimes, letting go of expectations can be liberating. It was a journey that taught me the importance of finding my own way, one small step at a time. Reading was something I did only once in a blue moon. The mere thought of opening a book without any images used to scare me off. But I was determined to change. I wanted to experience what it felt like to be on the completely opposite side of who I was at that moment.
I had faced many challenges, and it was time to regain some respect and power. Slowly and steadily, I started reading books. The only good thing about every educational institution I had ever attended was their libraries. I remember reading a National Geographic magazine when I came across an article about Mr. Tata and Tata Group's food initiatives. Honestly, the pictures taken by the National Geographic team were so stunning that they captivated me. I noticed a picture of a man in the left corner, wearing a sharp suit and sporting a killer smile. Little did I knew that he was going to be the protagonist of my story. I started with self-help books because I assumed that's what I needed. After a certain point, they become repetitive. Pro tip, just read 1 or 2 good books on self-help. Everything else is just like Pani -puri. The content remains the same, but every bhaiya has his own style of delivering.
The magazine featured a list of recommended books for young entrepreneurs, and the first one was Rich Dad Poor Dad. I figured that since it was at the top of the list and aligned with my goals, I might as well give it a read. To my surprise, the book also lacked pictures, but the cash flow diagrams, and balance sheets thrilled me. I had never felt this kind of excitement while reading before. I finished the book in a week and felt ready to dive into entrepreneurship. At just 14, weighing 65 kg and struggling with obesity and a sweet tooth, I decided to start my first venture: selling chocolates. I knew how to cook, so selling these chocolates seemed like a perfect fit. I thought, if I failed, at least I’d have a great time at home enjoying my creations. My inventory management system was surprisingly efficient—if the products didn’t sell, the boss (me) would eat them!
I had a great time running that business. While I don’t remember the exact profit I made, I learned something invaluable: in a service business, it’s essential to sell a perception before selling the service itself. You need to convince people why you are the right person for the job and why they won’t find anyone better in the industry. Once you’ve established that perception, the hard work begins—you must deliver on your promises. I tried to apply that philosophy to my life. Even though my reputation was reminiscent of Ishan Awasthi, people ended up buying my chocolates because the product was genuinely great.
This was exactly what I had been looking for—a fantastic rebranding opportunity. I decided to pause my business and became completely immersed in this new venture. I thought, why not run my life like a business? After all, I am the product. However, I realized I lacked the qualities that people would appreciate and admire. I began to wonder: who is that one person with zero haters? I started my search at school, only to discover that I disliked nearly 98% of my schoolmates. So, I embarked on a sort of world tour, searching far and wide. After days of looking, I finally realized that the gem I sought was living right next to my city. “काखेत कळसा गावाला वळसा”.
A magazine discussed his human qualities and how he has changed the definition of business: the man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Ratan Tata. It highlighted how every Indian conglomerate should follow the Tata way of doing business, emphasizing their trust structure and CSR activities. I was fascinated and began to read everything I could find about Sir Ratan Tata and the organization. J.R.D. Tata was also an interesting personality. After studying their characters, I discovered that they possess a certain set of non-negotiable values. It turns out that these values themselves have generated billions for the group and earned individuals like Sir Ratan Tata the respect they truly deserve.
Seven years have passed, and my admiration for Sir Ratan Tata continues to grow. Along the way, I've met many people who share the same respect and love for him. Initially, his lessons were just teachings I carried with me. But as I matured, they transformed into habits that shaped my character. Always speaking the truth, believing in meritocracy, prioritizing service to people over everything else, fulfilling every promise, choosing words carefully, embodying generosity, practicing courtesy, feeling emotions without being overly emotional—these principles became ingrained in me. Embracing equality, nurturing unshakable optimism, and embodying fearless nationalism, even when the right path was the hardest to tread, are qualities I strive to uphold. His example has shown me that integrity and compassion can indeed change lives. Sir Ratan Tata has also taught me that not every friend hangout with you or talks to you on a call. Some of them never meet yet become an invaluable part of your life.
Experiencing this change, I felt an overwhelming urge to thank him in person for everything he had done for me. There were countless times when he appeared in my dreams, offering gentle nudges to guide me toward the right decisions. While I won’t delve into those moments—respecting the boundaries of a blog—they have left a profound impact on me. On my 19th birthday, I made a promise to myself: I would meet him before I turned 22. As Socrates wisely said, "A promise made is a promise kept," and I was determined to fulfill that commitment. I knew that simply standing in front of his house and shouting his name wouldn't work; this was Sir Ratan Tata, not a Bollywood star. He exuded class and dignity. Recalling that Shantanu had once penned a note to Tata, which was graciously accepted, I decided to write my own letter. With hope in my heart, I sent it off. A month passed, and silence enveloped my anticipation. But even in that quiet, my resolve remained strong.
I knew he felt awkward when people praised him, so I assumed he might read my first letter but wouldn’t reply. For my second letter, I included many questions about business and life and delivered it myself to ensure it reached him. Little did I know, trouble was on the horizon. Mr. Tata wasn’t facing any major illness, but he was aging rapidly. His lungs were deteriorating, making it hard for him to breathe, and his bones were weakening, making walking difficult. He needed assistance for his daily activities, and I realized my chances of him reading and responding to my letter were dwindling. Determined, I decided to carry my third letter with me, hoping I might encounter someone who worked for Mr. Tata—or even Mr. Tata himself.
Life has a way of playing its own game. In June 2024, I attended a wealth management conference in Mumbai, hosted by the CFA Society India. With heavy rains pouring down, I decided to leave my letter at home, thinking it was just an 8-hour event. Three hours in, a Parsi gentleman entered the hall and took the seat beside me. I recognized his ID card but was in shock when I realized he was Mr. Tata's assistant.
It took me a moment to collect my thoughts, but I quickly noticed that those who work with Mr. Tata embody similar values and ethics. The assistant (I won’t name him for confidentiality) and I engaged in a meaningful 45-minute conversation, exchanging numbers in the process. I couldn’t help but wish I had brought my letter with me. In a rush, I wrote a quick note and asked him to pass it on to Mr. Tata, but I learned that Mr. Tata’s health was declining. Since June, his condition had not improved at all. By the end of July, he had stopped attending meetings and was left with an empty calendar, even though he was still managing four meetings a day.
I remember the assistant mentioning that Mr. Tata had reached out to the Indian Institute of Science, asking for a report on cell longevity. It felt like a quiet acknowledgment of the inevitable: what’s meant to happen will happen. On October 9th, he was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital due to a drop in blood pressure. His family members were called in, and on the night of October 10th, he took his last breath, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in our hearts. They say that whenever you can't find a direction, always follow the north start. It's like a moral compass that will guide you through everything.
When you truly love someone, wanting nothing more than to give them everything you have—rather than focusing on what you can gain from them—there's a profound possibility that you will connect deeply. It's in that selfless devotion that genuine relationships flourish, creating bonds that resonate with understanding and warmth. Sir Ratan Tata was my philosopher, friend, father, brother, and mentor. He embodied every role he played with such grace and depth. I won't claim to have suffered the most from his passing, but the intensity of this loss is something I know I will never experience again. Aside from my family, no one held as much significance in my life as he did. His absence has left a void that no amount of happiness can ever fill. Life will be hard to visualize without you.
As I promised, I did meet you, Mr. Tata. But your head was still, your eyes closed, your hands crossed, your legs cold, and your heart no longer beating. Yet, your face carried a sense of peace and fulfillment. Thank you for everything you taught me. I promise to cherish and pass on every single lesson you've imparted until my last breath. Your legacy will live on through me, and I will strive to honor it every day. Whenever you come across a north star, go towards it.
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND
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