Readers' Forum
Why not Ratan Tata?
I have been reading Parsiana since many years. Your magazine is full of ZoChild, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, FEZANA (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America), North American Zoroastrian Congress and the various baugs of Bombay. But what about Ratan Tata?
I was hoping you would feature him on the cover of your December 21, 2012 issue. Then I thought you would have him on that of your January 2013 issues. But no! He is the finest man in our country; a real ratan (gem). You could have given extensive coverage on him.
You didn’t have him on your cover even when he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan — the second highest award of our nation. He was squeezed in on some inside page, with two winners of the Padma Shri! I have seen all sorts of personalities on your cover, but never Ratan Tata. I am very disappointed. How could you?
I was hoping you would feature him on the cover of your December 21, 2012 issue. Then I thought you would have him on that of your January 2013 issues. But no! He is the finest man in our country; a real ratan (gem). You could have given extensive coverage on him.
You didn’t have him on your cover even when he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan — the second highest award of our nation. He was squeezed in on some inside page, with two winners of the Padma Shri! I have seen all sorts of personalities on your cover, but never Ratan Tata. I am very disappointed. How could you?
Dr GOOLCHEHER COYAJI
Poona
Poona
The editors reply:
We share in Dr Coyaji’s disappointment. Much as we would have liked to feature Ratan Tata more prominently and more often in the magazine, we unfortunately do not get material that is original or unique. All our reporting on Tata has been through secondhand sources. Some of our readers who have already read the same material elsewhere in a lengthier and more detailed form with better photographs may be annoyed. Our intention is to focus on individuals as much for their achievements and eminence as their involvement in community affairs. We realize with the very considerable pressure on Tata to give interviews to the international, national, state and city media it would be impertinent to expect that he would have time for community publications. It is quite possible that now as he has stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons he would have more time and be perhaps more inclined to talk to the Parsi Press. Or, on the other hand, if Parsiana is able to find information on Tata which has not already been widely disseminated or known we would happily feature the material.
The House of Tatas have long supported Parsiana and there is no better way to show gratitude than giving coverage where it is due.
We share in Dr Coyaji’s disappointment. Much as we would have liked to feature Ratan Tata more prominently and more often in the magazine, we unfortunately do not get material that is original or unique. All our reporting on Tata has been through secondhand sources. Some of our readers who have already read the same material elsewhere in a lengthier and more detailed form with better photographs may be annoyed. Our intention is to focus on individuals as much for their achievements and eminence as their involvement in community affairs. We realize with the very considerable pressure on Tata to give interviews to the international, national, state and city media it would be impertinent to expect that he would have time for community publications. It is quite possible that now as he has stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons he would have more time and be perhaps more inclined to talk to the Parsi Press. Or, on the other hand, if Parsiana is able to find information on Tata which has not already been widely disseminated or known we would happily feature the material.
The House of Tatas have long supported Parsiana and there is no better way to show gratitude than giving coverage where it is due.
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