Ratan Tata values ​​honesty and integrity, his legacy is inspiring Economics and Political Analysis

Over the past ten years I have had the unique opportunity to learn from him, laugh with him, mentor him and – most importantly – have fun with him. We ate together, walked together, flew on a plane together, and even accidentally crashed an Indian wedding while we were in California together. On this journey, trust between us deepened and with respect and humility I say that our values ​​were aligned. From this relationship of friendship and respect a new venture was born. We decided to partner and invest together. We combined our initials, UC-RNT, to stand for University of California and Ratan N Tata, and created something new.

Less than a month ago, in Mumbai, Tata and I spent two days together talking about the future, the enormity of tomorrow. Our conversation ranged from today's India, the invention of artificial intelligence, advances in medicine and biotechnology – which we were both eager to discover – and, of course, all the car models he loved and the future of the automobile. We ate the chocolate she brought from San Francisco and the Chiku ice cream she gave me. Together, we faced the thorny problem of how to get Indian mangoes to the US. This is how we often spend time, sharing stories, laughing, eating, going over the big thoughts and the smallest details of everyday life. As I was leaving, I asked her what she usually did when we were done seeing each other. What advice does he have for me? He said he wanted to spend more time together, thinking and having fun. That was what he enjoyed most about what I now know were his last years. He walked me to the door, smiling, and we said we'd see each other in six weeks. We said goodbye and said that we would continue building UC-RNT.

If he could hear me, I would have told him directly as I wrote. Mr. Ratan Tata, it has been a privilege, an honor and a highlight for me and the UC Investments team to have been by your side over the last ten years. Being attached to his name is a legacy that I promise to build on over the next 100 years. You inspired us, shared with us, helped us expand our horizons and opportunities, while reminding us of the sanctity of values ​​so dear to us: honesty, integrity, giving back, and making the world a better place. I will always cherish our friendship, I will remember our smiles and laughs together. With a heavy heart and deep respect for you, I am blessed to know you and be your partner. Thank you for believing in me.

The author is the Chief Investment Officer at the University of California. UC and Ratan Tata have partnered and invested together as UC RNT in India over the last 10 years.