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The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision

The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision

Time of India14 hours ago
The last Tata Nano, affectionately named "Lily," holds a special place in India's automotive history, not just as a car but as a symbol of a visionary promise made by the legendary industrialist
. Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata's former assistant and currently General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at
, owns this final Nano.
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Recently, Naidu shared an emotional post on Instagram standing beside Lily, reflecting on the car's significance beyond its physical form. To him, Lily is a 'memory keeper' and a tribute to an engineering dream that was bold, compassionate, and aimed at providing affordable, safe transportation to middle-class Indian families. This white-colored Nano, now six years old, symbolizes the fulfillment of Ratan Tata's heartfelt vision that began when he saw a family of four riding a two-wheeler in the rain and dreamed of a safer alternative.
The Nano was launched in 2008 with the goal of delivering a four-wheeled vehicle priced around ₹1 lakh, a promise that resonated deeply with millions of Indians.
Shantanu Naidu's Nano tribute: A heartfelt salute to Ratan Tata's vision
In his heartfelt Instagram post, Naidu described Lily as more than just a vehicle. He called her a 'whisper of an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten' and thanked the car for its loyalty despite the 'battle-scar dents' it had accumulated over the years.
His tribute underscores the emotional and symbolic weight the Nano carries as a fulfilled promise by Ratan Tata to Indian families. Naidu's close association with Tata adds a personal dimension to this story, reflecting the deep respect and admiration he holds for the industrialist's vision and values.
The genesis of the Tata Nano
The idea for the Tata Nano originated from a poignant moment when Ratan Tata witnessed a family of four braving heavy rain on a two-wheeler.
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Moved by their vulnerability, Tata envisioned an affordable car that would provide safety and dignity to millions of Indian families. This vision culminated in the launch of the Nano at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo, marketed as the world's cheapest car. Although the Nano faced challenges such as production shifts and market perception issues, it remains a milestone in India's automotive journey.
Shantanu Naidu: A trusted associate of Ratan Tata
Naidu's bond with Ratan Tata goes beyond professional ties. Their friendship, rooted in shared passions such as animal welfare, was marked by mutual respect and support. Naidu has been a key figure in Tata's initiatives, including startups focused on social impact. Following Tata's passing in 2024, Naidu has publicly expressed the profound void left by his mentor, calling him his 'dear lighthouse.' His stewardship of the last Nano, Lily, is a continuation of that legacy—honoring Tata's commitment to innovation, empathy, and India's progress.
In preserving the last Tata Nano, Shantanu Naidu keeps alive not only a piece of automotive history but also the spirit of a dream that sought to transform lives through affordable mobility.
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Job seeker reveals the one question that has got them ghosted by the HR
Job seeker reveals the one question that has got them ghosted by the HR

Economic Times

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  • Economic Times

Job seeker reveals the one question that has got them ghosted by the HR

Synopsis An Indian professional, returning home after years abroad, faces difficulty finding a job despite a strong background. Companies prioritize previous salary over skills, often making lowball offers based on outdated information. This practice, common in India, disregards international experience and benchmarks, leading to frustration for returning professionals. iStock Job seeker says refusing to answer about past CTC has led to recruiters ghosting them A professional who recently came back to India after spending several years working overseas is facing an unexpected and frustrating challenge: landing a new job. Despite holding a solid track record and four years of experience at a reputed financial organization abroad, the returnee is finding it difficult to secure meaningful employment their story on the subreddit Indian Workplace, the individual revealed that after applying to over a hundred job openings, only a handful—no more than five—actually responded. Even those limited interactions quickly turned uncomfortable. The very first question posed during these calls from recruiters was almost always about the candidate's previous salary, also known as CTC (Cost to Company). The jobseeker found this not only invasive but also inappropriate, particularly given the stark differences in currency value and salary standards between frustration deepened when the candidate chose transparency and disclosed their past earnings. Almost immediately after revealing the foreign pay figure, hiring managers would abruptly end communication, effectively ghosting the applicant. This pattern repeated itself enough times to become a source of serious concern and confusion. Seeking advice from others in similar situations, the professional asked how one should even respond to such inquiries when clearly the intent isn't to match qualifications but to lowball based on outdated or irrelevant salary users in the forum chimed in to validate the experience, with one pointing out that this approach is unfortunately widespread in the Indian corporate scene. While it may be considered unethical in places like North America or Europe—where employment laws often protect applicants from having to disclose salary history—in India, the lack of legal boundaries allows companies to continue this exploitative trend remarked on how absurd the offers could get, with some companies shamelessly proposing salaries as low as ₹1 lakh per annum, even for candidates with senior-level experience. One sarcastic comment mocked the system, citing a scenario where a former CTO was offered just Rs 4 lakh per year. Another contributor gave a hypothetical but all-too-common example: someone earning Rs 25 lakh annually abroad being told that due to a six-month employment gap, the company could now only offer Rs 3 final consensus among users was sobering: regardless of whether a candidate earned in euros or dollars, Indian employers often disregard international benchmarks. Instead of evaluating skills and experience on merit, they prefer anchoring offers to previous CTC figures—no matter how irrelevant or mismatched. When gearing up for a job interview, it's essential to have a clear strategy for answering questions related to your expected Cost to Company (CTC). According to a report by it's wise to go into the conversation prepared—not just by knowing your value, but also by learning about the organization's mission, offerings, future goals, and employee feedback. Often, when two candidates are equally qualified, a company may lean toward the one whose salary expectations align better with their represents the complete financial commitment an employer makes for an employee annually. This includes not only direct cash payments but also additional non-monetary benefits. CTC typically consists of three primary elements: the base salary, various allowances, and mandatory deductions. Generally, your base salary constitutes less than half—usually around 40%—of your total CTC. The remaining parts, which include perks and deductions, can differ based on the company's structure, internal policies, and organizational scale. Gaining a clear understanding of these segments helps you better navigate the salary discussion when the time standards usually follow a pattern, although they can vary slightly depending on the company's location, size, and industry. Utilize job portals and employment websites to review ongoing salary trends. When evaluating pay expectations, take into account factors such as your experience level, professional skills, work environment, potential job risks, travel obligations, and benefits provided by similar employers. Many recruitment agencies also publish salary benchmarks and industry-wise compensation reports—reviewing these can give you a realistic idea of what to expect and ask you've been shortlisted for an interview, it typically indicates that the company is open to offering a package equal to or better than your current one. If the recruiter asks you to state your expected CTC, it's better to provide a range instead of a rigid figure. This should be informed by your research and existing pay. Consider all salary components—like benefits and bonuses—included in your take-home income before proposing a range. For instance, if your findings reveal that the average compensation for your role is ₹6,00,000 per annum, you can comfortably ask for a slightly higher figure. 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HT Labs and The Doers Company Sign Strategic MoU to Strengthen India-Cyprus-UAE Innovation Corridor
HT Labs and The Doers Company Sign Strategic MoU to Strengthen India-Cyprus-UAE Innovation Corridor

Business Standard

time44 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

HT Labs and The Doers Company Sign Strategic MoU to Strengthen India-Cyprus-UAE Innovation Corridor

NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 7: In a landmark move that signals bold ambitions for international expansion and cross-border innovation, HT Labs, the innovation and product arm of HT Media, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Doers Company--organisers of Europe's leading innovation events such as Reflect Festival and the upcoming Doers Summit. The MoU was formalised at a high-profile event hosted at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) under the aegis of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), with participation from government dignitaries, investors, and tech leaders spanning India, Cyprus, and the UAE. The collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment of renewed global engagement, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus and a subsequent delegation led by the Cypriot Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation & Digital Policy to Dubai. The delegation included top officials such as the Chief Scientist of Cyprus and key investors and business leaders from Europe and the Middle East--underscoring a powerful tri-nation vision to foster startup growth, capital flow, and entrepreneurial exchange across India, Cyprus, and the UAE. The alliance empowers HT Labs to leverage The Doers Company's extensive European innovation ecosystem to accelerate the global journey of OTTplay--India's first AI-powered OTT aggregator and recommendation engine. With Cyprus as a launchpad into Europe and Dubai Silicon Oasis as the testbed for cross-border digital infrastructure, media tech, and smart city initiatives, the MoU sets a dynamic framework for founder-investor collaboration, cross-border pilots, and community-led innovation. 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Can't allow weaponisation of critical minerals: PM Modi at Brics
Can't allow weaponisation of critical minerals: PM Modi at Brics

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Can't allow weaponisation of critical minerals: PM Modi at Brics

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