Ratan Tata as Indian premier. Forbes' wish, relayed by Indian media
By Kishore Budha • Dec 4th, 2008 • Category: Media PracticeForbes put out an opinion article by Robyn Meredith, which pushed the argument that making Ratan Tata a part of Indian polity, a subtle reference to executive power, would be an Obama moment for India. CNN-IBN picked up this agency report on the Forbes article and asked rhetorically on its website:
Who could be India’s Barack Obama who could unite the country and march the nation forward at a traumatic time? Ratan Tata, chief of the Tata group of companies, says US business magazine Forbes.
Forbes and Robyn Meredith are justified in expecting Ratan Tata to lead the country. After all, he is literally and symbolically, what the magazine stands for. The question really is what is CNN-IBN‘s enthusiasm in carrying the story? The argument that it is “newsworthy” does not hold good because there are enough facts to go around that deserve equal, if not more, attention. So, does the published words of Forbes carry such significance because it speaks “the truth” or is it because Forbes articulated a position that CNN-IBN would have found it difficult to articulate itself, without inviting accusations of bias and neo-liberal agenda setting? At least Forbes is honest about where it stands.
Press Trust of India (2008) Forbes chooses its Obama for India: Ratan Tata CNN-IBN Thu, Dec 04 <online> Link
Meredith, Robyn (2008) “India’s Obama Moment?” Forbes, 12.03.08, 12:01 AM EST <Online> Link
Kishore Budha is one of the co-founders of Subaltern Media and the founder-editor of the peer-reviewed Open Access journal Wide Screen. He holds a PhD in media and communications studies from the University of Leeds, UK and has professional experience in print journalism, internet news, and public relations industries. His interests include Critical Theories of Media and Communication, Semiotics, Transnational Communication, Film industry & production, Film theory, Film and history, Communications Policy, Visual Culture, Communication Technologies, Web media and Communication
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Mr. Ratan Tata is India’s most respected business leader. If he was really in politics then my vote goes to Mr. Ratan Tata, I would even promise my life-time exclusivity on that.
How can Ratan Tata be India’s most respected business man? That would assume he was leading a business that was entirely honourable to its customers and employees and a shining example to others in India. Business is more than profit. It is how honourably you treat your
employees. Personal Experience has suggested otherwise. I face homelessness and financial bankruptcy paying Tata from every dollar I make for the rest of my life till the debt they say I owe is paid back. This company thinks nothing of suing a lone individual to claim back near to half a million USD which they Tata were forced to pay out to an agent. The said deal having made the company millions yet ending in dismissal of the aforementioned person now being sued. How can a lone individual fight against a corporation who think nothing of engaging in white collar bullying under the guise of good business and profit. Who picks up the pieces then but the society which breeds these cold blooded scoundrels and white collar bullies. Maybe some bad publicity back will make them think twice before engaging in legal bullying just because they have the unlimited legal resources. How can an individual fight back against that? The hardship to the family is intolerable and the emotional pressure immense. Maybe before Ratan Tata on a pedestal of the ‘Greats’ he should be scrutinised for his companies policies and treatment of hardworking employees who bring profit to their 70billion company and then are dismissed without a care in he world and squeezed in an added witch-hunt for corporate greed and sport.
How could a man leading a company that leaves families in disarray lead a country? undobtable i would not vote for him. Their logo laughable ‘leadership with trust’ should perhaps read ‘leadership with punch’.
Dear Mr. Stewart,
After reading your post, anyone who has common sense can say that you have made-up all the story. I can say that your name is not Abbey Stewart!! Who will listen to your fake story when you can’t even state a real name? Now stop using your creative story-telling genius at wrong places. How about Hollywood?….your stories could sell one there and one day you could be very rich.
Ratan Tata is a great person!! I can say that he is one of the greatest personalities in Indian history. I would salute to him with deep respect. I’m proud to be an Indian. Thank you, Sir!!!
“I am and have always been a most ardent admirer of the Tata family (and also other families such as the Birlas and Godrejes that understand the principle of “noblesse oblige”) and do very much think that Ratan Tata would make an excellent leader for India. My response to Abbey Stewart, assuming she is who she says she is and her story true, would be that:
First, your experience with the firm seems more like the exception, rather than the rule;
Second, is it fair to let an isolated event, even if it unfairly left you as the victim, wholly cloud your judgment of the character (and leadership potential) of a man not directly involved in your unfortunate case, but otherwise known to lead what many for good reason believe to be the nation’s most socially responsible firm;
Third, you would do much more justice to yourself and the man if you presented both sides of your case rather than just a one-sided acrimonious view;
Fourth, if Mr. Tata were not to be put on the pedestal of the ‘Greats’, then which “more ethical” businessmen or politicians do you think currently occupy or should occupy that exalted place?
… and for you, Dr. Sid, I love your passion, but whether it is her real name or not, her real story or not, its content true or not, her opinions fair or not, does she not have a right to put her story forth without being harshly reprimanded just because you find it disagreeable and her dishonest? (You might say, “Such accusations can serve to damage a good man’s reputation”, but then I would ask exclamatorily, “Really?! Who again are we talking about?”) Assuming she and her story are both not fictitious, would Abbey Stewart’s case change your mind about the man? (It wouldn’t mine.)
@ abbey its all your individual view about ratan tata. millions of indians know that he is gr8 business man but who knows whether he could be good leader or not only looking at his achievement in business we cant think that he must be gr8 leader but no one can deny the fact that he is one of the best businessman of the world and for that reason we all indian salute him!!!!!!!