Nandan Nilekani recalls first meeting with Ratan Tata at Infosys Bengaluru: 'Struck by his humility'

Ratan Tata with Infosys co-founders Narayana Murthy, Mohandas Pai, and Nandan Nilekani, during his 2001 visit to the tech giant's headquarters in Bengaluru. (Image credit: Infosys)

Billionaire Nandan Nilekani on Monday recalled his first meeting with Ratan Tata in 2001 during the late industrialist's visit to the Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru. The co-founder of the tech giant paid tribute to Tata -- who died on October 9 -- and said that it was a privilege to be associated with him.

"I first met Ratan Tata on his visit to Infosys in 2001. I was struck by his humility, grace, and generosity," Nilekani wrote on X. "Many years later he invited me to co-found Avanti Finance -- a financial inclusion platform for the next 100 million unserved and underserved households. It was a pleasure and privilege to associate with him! Farewell, Ratan."

He also shared a video created by Infosys to honour the legendary industrialist. In several of the pictures featured in the video, Ratan Tata shared the frame with Infosys co-founders Narayana Murthy, Mohandas Pai, and Nilekani.

I first met Ratan Tata on his visit to @Infosys in 2001 . I was struck by his humility, grace and generosity. Many years later he invited me to cofound @AvantiFinance a Financial Inclusion platform for the next 100 million unserved and underserved households. It was a pleasure https://t.co/Lml2nCjN7v
Nandan Nilekani (@NandanNilekani) October 21, 2024

The video also featured a photo of the visitors book at Infosys signed by Tata. "A wonderful and invigorating experience," he wrote describing his visit. "A sight of 'the new India'."

In its tribute, the software giant wrote that during his visit to Bengaluru 23 years ago, Ratan Tata had planted a Tabebuia Rosea in the campus. "The plant has grown into a tree today, and so has our shared purpose and vision. His legacy continues to inspire us to pursue growth and innovation, moving the world forward together," it stated.

Tata was 86 when he died at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on the night of October 9.

On October 10, in his tribute, Narayana Murthy called Tata a "dear friend" and said that the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons was his role model.

“Losing a dear friend like Ratan is very painful. Ratan was a role model for me in value-based leadership. He was indeed a moral compass whenever I had some ambiguity and confusion in ethical issues," Murthy told Moneycontrol.

Meanwhile, Mohandas Pai recalled Tata being "very humble and considerate". "He was very very cerebral," he said during a television address. "His humility and compassion for others was something that rubbed off on you."