Nearly a decade ago, I had the privilege of dining with Ratan Tata in Los Angeles, thanks to our mutual friend Roy Doumani from UCLA. That evening ignited my enthusiasm for India and left me in awe of Tata’s vision for a new entrepreneurial landscape in the country. His passionate and detailed discourse was infectious, while I found myself mostly listening, captivated by the opportunities India had to offer.
That dinner in 2014 marked the beginning of our shared journey to explore India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Both of us were committed to upholding the legacies of our long-standing institutions—Tata Sons and the University of California—while seeking out and nurturing promising ventures within this exciting wave of entrepreneurship that persists today. Over the past ten years, I have been fortunate to learn from and share laughter with Tata, who has been both a mentor and a friend.
Our time together included meals, walks, flights, and even an unintentional detour into an Indian wedding in California. This journey deepened our trust and revealed our aligned values. From this friendship emerged a new venture: UC-RNT, symbolizing our collaboration between the University of California and Ratan Tata.
Just weeks ago in Mumbai, we spent two days discussing the future—ranging from India’s current landscape to innovations in artificial intelligence and breakthroughs in medicine. We shared chocolates from San Francisco and Chickoo ice cream while brainstorming solutions for delivering Indian mangoes to the U.S. Our conversations were filled with laughter and meaningful exchanges about life’s big ideas and everyday details.
As our meeting concluded, I asked Tata for his usual parting advice. He expressed a desire to spend more time together, emphasizing the joy he found in brainstorming and having fun—something I now realize he cherished during his final years.
As we waved goodbye, we reaffirmed our commitment to building UC-RNT together. If he could hear me now, I would express my gratitude for the past ten years alongside him—a humbling honor that has profoundly impacted me and the UC Investments team. Being associated with his name is a legacy I vow to uphold for generations to come.
Ratan Tata inspired us all while instilling values of honesty, integrity, and community service. I will forever treasure our friendship and the joy we shared. With deep respect and a heavy heart, I feel blessed to have known him as both a partner and a friend.
Thank you for your trust!
