In 2009, a car was launched at the Delhi Auto Expo that was born of a dream of Ratan Tata-to give the middle-class Indian a safe and affordable means of transportation.
“A promise is a promise”, Ratan Tata had said at the launch of Tata Nano, probably India’s most awaited and adored car. It is the journey of fulfillment of this promise that is chronicled in the literary tribute to Tata Nano titled Small Wonder - the making of Nano.
The book, written by Philip Chacko, Christabelle Noronha and Sujata Agarwal, may give an impression of a business management book at first glance.
But it is much more than that. It is an inspirational account of how Tata Motors overcame the limitations imposed by conventional technology and traditional methods of manufacturing to develop a car that has changed the automobile world. The book was launched in the city recently at Crossword by author and social activist Bilkis Latif. Two of the authors of the book, Christabelle Noronha and Philip Chacko, were also present.
The authors, all members of the Tata Corporate Communications team, say they were inspired to write the book at the Delhi Auto Expo.”After months of unrest and controversies, it was a moment of great pride for us to see the Nano being launched. We did not want to just record an exceptional event. We felt that the inspirational story of Nano needed to be chronicled from the conception of the idea to its much awaited roll out”, says Christabelle Noronha.
She further adds,”Ratan Tata had no idea that we were writing the book. We went ahead with the research with the blessings of Ravi Kant, the vice-chairman of Tata Motors.” The research included painstakingly interviewing nearly 500 people and visits Singur and Sanand, the previous and present site of the Nano manufacturaing plant.“It took us a year to write the book. It was only after we completed the book that we presented a copy to Ratan Tata,” adds Philip Chacko with a smile.
Bilkis Latif hailed the story of Nano as a lesson on success and determination.
She called the Nano not just a common man’s car but also a common woman’s car.
“It is an ideal car for women as it is very easy to park”.
She also adds, “We see entire families sitting precariously on two-wheelers. Nano will ensure to keep them safe from mishaps and bad weather.” Latif also recounted an interaction she had had with the Late JRD Tata years ago. When someone in the group asked JRD what he thought of Ratan Tata as his successor, JRD replied that he was lucky to have Ratan Tata.
“Not only is he better looking, he is much more capable than I am. Just wait and see,” the visionary is supposed to have prophesied.
Tata Nano is a testimony of the unclinching belief JRD Tata had on his successor.