**Shantanu Naidu: Ratan Tata’s Trusted Assistant and Close Friend**

Shantanu Naidu is often regarded as one of Ratan Tata’s closest friends and a key member of the Tata Group leadership. Known as the youngest manager at Tata Industries, he currently serves as the General Manager at Tata Group. Beyond his managerial role, Shantanu has played an instrumental role in advising Tata on investments in promising startups, showcasing his foresight and entrepreneurial spirit.

**Early Life and Education**

Born in Pune in 1993, Shantanu completed his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014. Eager to expand his horizons, he pursued a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the prestigious Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management. During his time at Cornell, Shantanu actively participated in several notable events, earning accolades such as the Hemmeter Entrepreneurship Award and a prize in the Johnson Leadership Case Competition.

**How Shantanu Met Ratan Tata**

One of Shantanu’s earliest entrepreneurial ventures involved designing innovative dog collars with reflectors, a product that quickly garnered attention from local newspapers. This creative initiative caught the eye of Ratan Tata, who was impressed by Shantanu’s initiative and approached him with an offer to join his company.

Ratan Tata also supported Shantanu’s venture, ‘Motopaws,’ which has since expanded to operate across 17 cities in India. However, Shantanu chose to defer the offer initially to attend Cornell University. True to his commitment, he joined Tata Trusts in 2018 after completing his studies.

**Career Progression: From Intern to Manager**

Shantanu’s journey within the Tata ecosystem began even earlier; he interned as an Engineering Intern at Tata Technologies in 2009. In 2017, he worked as a Business Strategy Intern for Tata Trusts. Following his graduation, Shantanu was promoted to Deputy General Manager at Tata Trusts in 2018, marking a significant milestone in his career.

**Social Impact Initiatives**

In 2021, Shantanu made headlines with the launch of the Goodfellows project—an initiative dedicated to supporting elderly individuals living alone. This effort highlights his commitment to blending business acumen with social responsibility, a value deeply shared within the Tata Group.

**Continuing to Make a Difference**

As Ratan Tata’s assistant, Shantanu Naidu continues to be a driving force within the Tata Group. His unique combination of entrepreneurial insight, management expertise, and dedication to social causes enables him to make a lasting positive impact both within the organization and in the broader community.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/from-intern-to-youngest-manager-at-tata-group-how-did-31-year-old-shantanu-naidu-bagged-this-top-position