Ratan Tata 'humiliated' at Harvard, was eager to return to 'normal world'

NEW DELHI: In 2013, Ratan Tata candidly spoke about his initial experience as a student at Harvard University , revealing how he felt “confused” and “humiliated” by the impressive accomplishments of his peers. Tata described anxiously crossing off each day on his calendar, eager to return to what he referred to as the “normal world,” according to a report from the Harvard Gazette.

Reflecting on those early days, Tata said, “It was the only time in my life where I sat and crossed out day by day how many days were left before I could return to the normal world.”

Tata attended Harvard Business School ’s (HBS) Advanced Management Program in 1975. He recounted his experience during the 2013 dedication ceremony of Tata Hall , a seven-story glass-and-limestone building at HBS named in his honour. The Tata Group , along with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Tata Education and Development Trust, had donated $50 million in 2010 for its construction, which began in 2011. Tata Hall now serves as a residential and educational space for the executive education program.

Despite the challenging start, Tata noted the transformative impact of his time at Harvard. “As I look back, those 13 weeks were probably the most important 13 weeks of my life. They transformed me and my perspective,” he said, adding that the initial confusion he felt gradually faded, allowing him to appreciate the depth of his learning experience at the institution.

“But what it did do for me, as I soon found out, the confusion sort of disappeared, and you understood the magnitude of what you had learned in a manner that I believe is not possible to do in places other than at this business school,” he explained.

In designing Tata Hall, Tata, an architect by training, aimed to create a welcoming and transparent environment for students. “Can the building touch the ground lightly?” he had asked the architect, showcasing his vision for the structure.

Harvard’s dean, Nitin Nohria , lauded Tata's contribution, stating, “Although our School has welcomed international students since its very first class in 1908, Tata Hall represents by far the most significant gift made by an international alum.” The facility supports over 9,000 executive education students annually, featuring 179 bedrooms, two classrooms with 99 seats each, and multiple conference spaces.