10/10/2024
Only TATA could do this...........
The Tata Sumo's name is an abbreviation of the initials of Sumant Moolgaokar, the MD of Tata Motors when the vehicle was launched in 1994:
SU: Stands for Sumant
MO: Stands for Moolgaokar
The name was a tribute to Moolgaokar's contributions to Tata Motors. Moolgaokar was the CEO of Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), Vice-Chairman of Tata Steel, and non-executive chairman of Maruti Suzuki. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, in 1990.
Moolgaokar was known for his work ethic and for soliciting input from drivers who used his products. He would then share his findings with the Tata design and R&D teams to inform improvements.
The Tata Sumo was Tata Group's first multi-utility vehicle and was a trendsetter of its time. Production of the Tata Sumo stopped in 2019.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2018, Ratan Tata was set to receive a lifetime achievement award for his philanthropic work from Prince Charles (now King Charles III) at Buckingham Palace, as part of an event hosted by the British Asian Trust. However, he cancelled his plans at the last minute because one of his beloved dogs was gravely ill.
Indian businessman Suhel Seth, who shared this touching story, recalled his surprise at receiving multiple missed calls from Tata. After 11 missed calls, when he finally spoke to him, Tata explained, “Tango and Tito, his dogs, one of them had fallen ill. I can’t leave him and come."
When Prince Charles heard of this, he praised Tata and expressed admiration for his priorities. Seth recalled King Charles saying, “That’s a man. That’s the man Ratan is. That’s why the house of Tata is what it is. That’s why it’s on a stable course."
RIP Sirji......
