Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh government minister and former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Asim Arun, while paying an emotional tribute to Ratan Tata on Thursday, recalled an incident related to the Special Protection Group (SPG) in the year 2007-2008. The job of SPG is to protect the Prime Minister. The minister said on social media that I remember Tata Motors had prepared ‘bulletproof’ vehicles for SPG, but SPG started buying BMWs instead of Tata vehicles. He (Ratan Tata) did not express any disappointment on this decision. The Social Welfare Minister in the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh quoted Ratan Tata as saying that if Tata Motors has to remain in the market, it will have to compete. SPG will always choose the best car. I will ask my team to gather knowledge from BMW and try to incorporate those features in Safari. The journey to achieve excellence continues.
gave a unique answer
Arun recalled another incident and said that being a part of SPG, he was entrusted with the security of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The minister said he was given the responsibility of protecting Ratan Tata from Taj Mansingh Hotel in New Delhi. Aseem Arun said that he was surprised to see that Ratan Tata chose to stay in a normal hotel room instead of a luxurious room. Traveled in an almost 50 year old Mercedes with only one driver.
When Arun asked Ratan Tata that you do not have any security or assistant? On this Ratan Tata gave a unique answer as to what could be the danger to me. Arun recalled that as they were heading towards the venue, Tata felt uneasy when he saw that an SPG pilot car was driving ahead of his vehicle.
Thank you letter issued
Arun said that in such a situation most people feel important but Ratan Tata continued to feel uncomfortable until the pilot car was removed. Ratan Tata later delivered a lecture on ‘Developing Excellence in an Organisation’. When Arun reached the airport with Ratan Tata after the session, he asked the industrialist for his formula for developing excellence.
Arun quoted Ratan Tata as saying that divide the work of your company or department into several parts and ensure that each of them is the best in its own right. The end result will be excellent only when all the elements involved are perfect. The minister also shared a ‘thank you’ letter received from Ratan Tata on social media. He said that Ratan Tata was a person who lived peacefully. It was a privilege to experience his calm nature and wisdom firsthand.