With reference to A K Bhattacharya’s excellent piece, “Keeping the PM in the loop” (October 31), unlike Cyrus Mistry’s “open letter” reacting to the turn of events that culminated in his exit, Ratan Tata’s two letters had clear positive objectives in the given context. The Tatas have a 150-year-old history behind them and perhaps they stand alone as the single private sector group which has striven to protect public interest and taken part in India’s economic growth through thick and thin, working on trust principles. The opening paragraph of the group’s profile on the website explains the Tata approach. It reads: “To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust.” And that explains the prick of conscience that would have woken up the septuagenarian Ratan Tata to act decisively, despite having the easier option of leaving things to evolve.
By apprising the PM of the developments in a group of companies that can have an impact on the nation’s economy, Ratan Tata has just done his duty as a responsible business head. If there is one real reason for the unceremonious exit of Mistry, it is unlikely that anyone outside the group may come to know of it. Those outside need to concede to Ratan Tata the right to correct, through legally acceptable means, if a succession plan he implemented after considerable contemplation has gone wrong, in his own assessment.
M G Warrier, Mumbai
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