I Came Upon a Lighthouse: A Short Memoir Of Life With Ratan Tata
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- Create Date：2021-04-06 16:50:59
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Shantanu Naidu
- ISBN：9390327520
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Summary
An endearing portrait of an Indian legend
I told him that when I write a book， I would write about another side of him and not just historic events or business milestones。 I would write about us and our adventures together， and how I saw him， colours and shades of him unknown to the world。 Life beyond the great steel wall of 'industry doyen'。
He agreed。 'There cannot be one book that captures everything 。。。 So you do your thing， give your perspective。'
It was their shared empathy for homeless dogs that sparked an unlikely friendship。 In 2014， Shantanu Naidu， an automobile design engineer in his early twenties， developed an innovation to save the local strays from being run over by speeding cars。 Ratan Tata， himself known for his compassion for stray dogs， took note。 Impressed， he not only decided to invest in the venture， but over the years became a mentor， boss and an unexpectedly dear friend to Shantanu。
I Came Upon a Lighthouse is an honest， light-hearted telling of this uncommon bond between a millennial and an octogenarian that gives glimpses of a beloved Indian icon in a warm light。
I told him that when I write a book， I would write about another side of him and not just historic events or business milestones。 I would write about us and our adventures together， and how I saw him， colours and shades of him unknown to the world。 Life beyond the great steel wall of 'industry doyen'。
He agreed。 'There cannot be one book that captures everything 。。。 So you do your thing， give your perspective。'
It was their shared empathy for homeless dogs that sparked an unlikely friendship。 In 2014， Shantanu Naidu， an automobile design engineer in his early twenties， developed an innovation to save the local strays from being run over by speeding cars。 Ratan Tata， himself known for his compassion for stray dogs， took note。 Impressed， he not only decided to invest in the venture， but over the years became a mentor， boss and an unexpectedly dear friend to Shantanu。
I Came Upon a Lighthouse is an honest， light-hearted telling of this uncommon bond between a millennial and an octogenarian that gives glimpses of a beloved Indian icon in a warm light。
Reviews
Hitesh Singh
，
I think it's a master piece。 If you want to know a part of life of Mr。 Ratan TATA， for the last few years。But this is totally a different side of Mr。 Ratan Tata， which explained by Shantanu Desai not only rekindle your love for Mr。 TATA but also tells about qualities of Mr。 Tata which can be imbibed by todays generation。 It's an easy read and keeps you stick till the end。 Makes you feel happy also， while reading。Highly recommended。regards I think it's a master piece。 If you want to know a part of life of Mr。 Ratan TATA， for the last few years。But this is totally a different side of Mr。 Ratan Tata， which explained by Shantanu Desai not only rekindle your love for Mr。 TATA but also tells about qualities of Mr。 Tata which can be imbibed by todays generation。 It's an easy read and keeps you stick till the end。 Makes you feel happy also， while reading。Highly recommended。regards 。。。more
Apeksha
，
Remember what looking through a Kaleidoscope as a child felt like？ Watching in awe as every tiny bit of it came together to form a meaning？ A colourful motif？ Each peculiar than the previous one。 That's exactly what this book is。 A Kaleidoscope。 Peeping into Shantanu's life and feeling everything he does- the nervousness during his first meet with Mr Tata， you feel it。 The warmth in Mr Tata's company， you feel it。 You're scared of disappointing him and guilty of lying to him， just as much as the Remember what looking through a Kaleidoscope as a child felt like？ Watching in awe as every tiny bit of it came together to form a meaning？ A colourful motif？ Each peculiar than the previous one。 That's exactly what this book is。 A Kaleidoscope。 Peeping into Shantanu's life and feeling everything he does- the nervousness during his first meet with Mr Tata， you feel it。 The warmth in Mr Tata's company， you feel it。 You're scared of disappointing him and guilty of lying to him， just as much as the boy in the story is。 What is heartbreaking however， is realizing this is the closest you can ever get to knowing Mr Tata。 But what is crazy is how his teachings， his modesty and honesty percolates into your character without you even realizing it。 His persona is mystical and comes out alive in these little chapters of the book。 Do give it a read。 。。。more
Jyoti Dubey
，
What a great job， Shantanu！ This book has made me feel happy in so many ways that I just couldn't stop smiling。 The way you have written these stories， simple， yet so beautiful。 You have described each and every scene so genuinely and clearly that I could see it happening in front of my eyes。 This book was like a much needed breath of fresh air for me。 Going through those little snippets of your life， it felt like I was watching you grow as a person。 My respect for Mr。 Tata has increased 10 fold What a great job， Shantanu！ This book has made me feel happy in so many ways that I just couldn't stop smiling。 The way you have written these stories， simple， yet so beautiful。 You have described each and every scene so genuinely and clearly that I could see it happening in front of my eyes。 This book was like a much needed breath of fresh air for me。 Going through those little snippets of your life， it felt like I was watching you grow as a person。 My respect for Mr。 Tata has increased 10 folds after going through all these stories full of empathy and kindness。 And I could feel every word， when you described what you were going through when you had to be at the receiving end of his sternness on that trip， and how all those experiences have shaped you as a person。 Our lives are so different， yet every chapter had something relatable， be it that difficult long distance relationship or not being able to make friends in the first semester or that trait of "when I experience something beautiful， I want the world to experience it with me"。 Thank you so much for sharing these heart warming incidents ❤️PS- Now， even I am craving a Pina Colada🥺❤️ 。。。more
Bindiya Sameer
，
3 reasons to read this book:1。 It’s a wonderful memoir by Shantanu sharing story of his life after he met Mr。 Ratan Tata。 The name of the book is so apt！ Great to know a different size of Mr。 Tata。 At a young age， Shantanu’s dedicated and efforts for philanthropist projects is commendable！ 2。 This book is beautifully illustrated by Sanjana Desai。3。 All the profits from the book with be donated for the animal in need！ Highly recommended
Sasidhar Datla
，
I can't tell you how warm and fulfilled your heart feels by the time you are done with this work。 It really feels like the muggle version of harry and Dumbledore。 By the time i finished the final chapters of the book over a "mom-cooked" meal， im left with a full belly and a heart fuller still。。 I can't tell you how warm and fulfilled your heart feels by the time you are done with this work。 It really feels like the muggle version of harry and Dumbledore。 By the time i finished the final chapters of the book over a "mom-cooked" meal， im left with a full belly and a heart fuller still。。 。。。more
Renu Rathinasabapathy
，
Lovely read。 Especially if you have liking for pets （dogs in particular）。 I love the narration， feels like you are in the same room as Shantanu and Mr Ratan Tata。 Definitely new found respect for Mr Ratan Tata。 I look at Tata showrooms and the 'Nano' differently （ In a Positive way with a smile） Thank you for writing this book Shantanu！ Lovely read。 Especially if you have liking for pets （dogs in particular）。 I love the narration， feels like you are in the same room as Shantanu and Mr Ratan Tata。 Definitely new found respect for Mr Ratan Tata。 I look at Tata showrooms and the 'Nano' differently （ In a Positive way with a smile） Thank you for writing this book Shantanu！ 。。。more
Ashish Reddy
，
Quite an interesting read！ Insightful
Revti Vadjikar
，
This book is hard to ignore。 I just finished reading this book， it could have easily been a 2 day read but I was not convinced to end it early so I was just lingering and living with Shanta-anuu through all the moments。 On some pages I was just sobbing with heartfelt gratitude and on other pages mischeviously smiling。 The bond between Shantanu and Mr。 Ratan Tata showcases how bonds are beyond age barrier and that the wisdom can only be learnt through sheer patience and observation。 Thankyou for This book is hard to ignore。 I just finished reading this book， it could have easily been a 2 day read but I was not convinced to end it early so I was just lingering and living with Shanta-anuu through all the moments。 On some pages I was just sobbing with heartfelt gratitude and on other pages mischeviously smiling。 The bond between Shantanu and Mr。 Ratan Tata showcases how bonds are beyond age barrier and that the wisdom can only be learnt through sheer patience and observation。 Thankyou for writing this book and please please keep recording your experiences with your millennial Dumbledore through literally any channel。 It just fills my heart everyday to hear the kind words either through your book or your Instagram。 You validate all those introverts and shy people spiralling down due to the cruel elements around。 Your words are a lighthouse for us。 Thankyou Shanta-anuu。 。。。more
Ankit Makwana
，
Harmonious and beautiful narrationHonest， innocent， candid narration of a bond between an octogenarian and a melanial friends。 I enjoyed reading this book。 👍
Samrudhi
，
Dear Shantanu ，Ordered your book and finished it in 2 days （7-8 hrs tbh） 。It was so heartwarming to read ， visualise and almost live your story 。 It brought tears to my eyes and cracked me up the very next second。 It was so good to know Mr。 Tata （I almost feel I do ） through this book ， the kind gentle soul he is。 He sure has sparked more empathy in me。I didn't know you until 3-4 days back （ yes I didn't follow up on the viral officialhumansof Bombay post ） but in no time you made me adore you t Dear Shantanu ，Ordered your book and finished it in 2 days （7-8 hrs tbh） 。It was so heartwarming to read ， visualise and almost live your story 。 It brought tears to my eyes and cracked me up the very next second。 It was so good to know Mr。 Tata （I almost feel I do ） through this book ， the kind gentle soul he is。 He sure has sparked more empathy in me。I didn't know you until 3-4 days back （ yes I didn't follow up on the viral officialhumansof Bombay post ） but in no time you made me adore you through your story and warm heart 。 Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story❤️ （I know it was hard ） 。 Stories are important to share with others and I m greatful to have known yours。 I read a chapter and came back here to check your insta highlights （😂） about that story and it was a great way to almost live in that moment 。It was good to see someone from a very simple and basic background （ relatable ） to have livin' this unique life。It gives me so much hope and strength to do good everyday in any way possible 。 If I have to describe this book 。。 it would be "so much love and light"。So much love in the relationship you hold with Mr Tata ， so much goodness and love you see in others and acknowledge it ， so much love for Winter and thousands others ， so much love ， light and warmth in a millineial you with a touch of humbleness and sarcasm， （originating from self deprication - again very relatable 😂 ） 。 This book will always be close to my heart and I would always describe it as - "love ， light and hope" ❤️ThankYou！ 。。。more
Aatreyee Basu
，
I have a thing for people who have a knack of reading good books and movies。 It does not have to be a classic but something that provides you knowledge but along with that stays in your mind forever。 Something really really good。 I always push those people and also in general to read or watch something that I have found to be like that。 This book is really like that and am pushing extremely hard towards all of you to READ IT。If you ask me， 'I came upon a lighthouse'， is like a warm hug for you o I have a thing for people who have a knack of reading good books and movies。 It does not have to be a classic but something that provides you knowledge but along with that stays in your mind forever。 Something really really good。 I always push those people and also in general to read or watch something that I have found to be like that。 This book is really like that and am pushing extremely hard towards all of you to READ IT。If you ask me， 'I came upon a lighthouse'， is like a warm hug for you or you know your room with the perfect ambiance with dim lightings， a good meal and nice movie to watch wala weekend night。 Its amazingly soothing to read， yet so intriguing since the very first page of it。 The illustration by Sanjana Desai just adds more life to each and every incident the author talks about。Its just not only a memoir of Ratan Tata's life but much more to it。 Its like a version o him that we get to know we never knew about or maybe we wont even have even the slightest of chance to witness those， yet we get so involved it feels like we were there with him and the author all the time。 You get to learn so much about him， his life， his value and actually get to know at least a little bit of the behind the scenes of his life。 You will get to relate so much with the author cause we all have been there， the eperiences he has experienced in his life some or the other way。 You will appreciate so much about the life lessons he will share with you in the book with those very experiences that we might have overlooked。 Best part？ Shantanu will give you a good Pina colada recipe and amazing song suggestions with this book。 Not to forget， the book works as a welfare for the animals as we purchase 。 。。。more
Pooja Kumar
，
Oh， my heart！For some time now， I have been looking for a purpose。 Why do we do what we do？ Where do I go from here？ So many questions。 Reading this book gave me hope that I'll get to where I want to be someday。 I didn't want this book to end。 It was joyous， pure， heartwarming and will stay with me for a long time。 I abruptly laughed out loud， teared up and basically couldn't put it down。 Of all the unlikely friendships， this one has to be my favourite。 Also， I think I'll go over this book again Oh， my heart！For some time now， I have been looking for a purpose。 Why do we do what we do？ Where do I go from here？ So many questions。 Reading this book gave me hope that I'll get to where I want to be someday。 I didn't want this book to end。 It was joyous， pure， heartwarming and will stay with me for a long time。 I abruptly laughed out loud， teared up and basically couldn't put it down。 Of all the unlikely friendships， this one has to be my favourite。 Also， I think I'll go over this book again just for those GORGEOUS illustrations！ 。。。more
Urja Narayan
，
Invigorating read。 More memorable as I read it on the Founders Day （J。 N。 Tata's， the founder of the Tata group， birthday）。This book was so much more relatable because Shantanu sounds like one of us throughout the book when he is nothing but。 I could put myself in his shoes and experience the world he has painted through his words vicariously。 The way he has stirred through his life and the invaluable lessons he has learnt/is still learning with Mr。 Tata are truly invaluable。 Growing up in Jamsh Invigorating read。 More memorable as I read it on the Founders Day （J。 N。 Tata's， the founder of the Tata group， birthday）。This book was so much more relatable because Shantanu sounds like one of us throughout the book when he is nothing but。 I could put myself in his shoes and experience the world he has painted through his words vicariously。 The way he has stirred through his life and the invaluable lessons he has learnt/is still learning with Mr。 Tata are truly invaluable。 Growing up in Jamshedpur （Tata Nagar）， surrounded by （and being one） Tata company loyalists all my life， the insights into Ratan Tata's life were outstanding。 To realize and read about how he is as a person helped me understand just how and why employees rever their company as not just an employer but as family。 Shantanu's experiences range from being lessons in management to simple joys in life to navigating his personal and professional life based on the ethos of the Tatas。 It helped me ponder upon the fact that being in tune with your true self not only helps us find contentment in what we do but also helps us unleash our true potentials and make our small deeds count as gifts to the world。 Here's hoping we all find our lighthouses in our lives。 Until then， we have our books to seek light from！ 。。。more
Rushvi
，
One of those books which you want to finish reading in one sitting because of it's wholesome nature and inspiring chapters。 It almost felt like reading someone's private journal/blog entries of a few years with some wonderful illustrations。 It was refreshing to see a side of Mr。 Ratan Tata which is not all business and work。 Some heart-warming moments， wit and vulnerability definitely makes for a good read :） One of those books which you want to finish reading in one sitting because of it's wholesome nature and inspiring chapters。 It almost felt like reading someone's private journal/blog entries of a few years with some wonderful illustrations。 It was refreshing to see a side of Mr。 Ratan Tata which is not all business and work。 Some heart-warming moments， wit and vulnerability definitely makes for a good read :） 。。。more
Somsubhra Banerjee
，
Heart-warming！
Rishabh Mittal
，
After a long time， Found a book， which I can't wait to reread。 After a long time， Found a book， which I can't wait to reread。 。。。more
Rachna
，
Its been a while since I've read anything like the book， "I Came Upon a Lighthouse"。 Call it a personal memoir of Shantanu's life， who is in his late twenties， or the journey of friendship between him and Mr Ratan Tata （An Indian Industrialist， Philanthropist and a compassionate animal lover we all look up to） right from where it started。 It all starts when Shantanu writes to Mr Ratan Tata about Motopaws， an innovation that saves stray animals from being run over by speeding cars and Mr Ratan Ta Its been a while since I've read anything like the book， "I Came Upon a Lighthouse"。 Call it a personal memoir of Shantanu's life， who is in his late twenties， or the journey of friendship between him and Mr Ratan Tata （An Indian Industrialist， Philanthropist and a compassionate animal lover we all look up to） right from where it started。 It all starts when Shantanu writes to Mr Ratan Tata about Motopaws， an innovation that saves stray animals from being run over by speeding cars and Mr Ratan Tata takes notice。And from there， through Shantanu's warm narration， we see Mr Ratan Tata be a mentor and a guide to Shantanu， as Shantanu starts working for his office and the journey of Shantanu's life， from his studies abroad， to adopting Winter and to working in the city of Mumbai。I came upon a Lighthouse is an inspiring and a kind and a dreamy read， about the journey of these two kindred souls and beyond。 。。。more
Gopika
，
A wholesome read！ It genuinely felt like a warm hug。 I finished this book feeling inspired。 This book captures Mr。 Ratan Tata both as a friend and a boss。 It could reveal the compassionate side of him。 As a reader i could experience a roller coaster ride of emotions。
Siddhi
，
I Came Upon A LightHouse is not a book， not at all。 It's a bunch of warm， individual letters written by an old friend describing his adventures， and tightly secured between two hard-bind covers with lots of love。 It is an unputdownable series of quests that leave you with a fuller heart and a longing for more， with each chapter。 'Shantaa-nu' has so adeptly penned down each story， each anecdote with so much care and passion， that one cannot help but find a connection with him and his writing。 The I Came Upon A LightHouse is not a book， not at all。 It's a bunch of warm， individual letters written by an old friend describing his adventures， and tightly secured between two hard-bind covers with lots of love。 It is an unputdownable series of quests that leave you with a fuller heart and a longing for more， with each chapter。 'Shantaa-nu' has so adeptly penned down each story， each anecdote with so much care and passion， that one cannot help but find a connection with him and his writing。 The way he describes his heartwarming upbringing， the way he is modest about his hardwork and dedication， the way he is unknowingly moulded by Mr。 Tata - every chapter is a piece of art。 The kind of art that makes you want it to not end at all， and keep going。 And no matter how pleasant and hearty his writing is， the stories on those pages seem all the more brought together with Sanjana Desai's charming and vivid illustrations - especially the ones in the chapter titled Bombae。 Amongst all other things， 'I Came Upon A Lighthouse' makes you feel at home。 And， it'll change your perspective of several things [find out by reading ;）]。One of the many best things about it is the last page of the book that has a charming photograph of Shantanu and Mr。 Tata and their child-like smiles！ It takes two to tango， and Mr。 Naidu and Ms。 Desai seem to have far more than just succeeded at it！ 。。。more
Vishnupriya
，
It took me 5 days to finish this wonderful memoir by Mr。 Shantaa-nu Naidu。 Although it’s only over 200 pages， it’s not one of those books， that you just rush through。 I took my own sweet time to read it， between my journey to work or before going to bed or while eating， as I wanted to live through the writings in each page。 This book is about the author’s personal journey， sharing his life experiences in a smart and funny way。 He talks about his journey in starting his own company called “motopa It took me 5 days to finish this wonderful memoir by Mr。 Shantaa-nu Naidu。 Although it’s only over 200 pages， it’s not one of those books， that you just rush through。 I took my own sweet time to read it， between my journey to work or before going to bed or while eating， as I wanted to live through the writings in each page。 This book is about the author’s personal journey， sharing his life experiences in a smart and funny way。 He talks about his journey in starting his own company called “motopaws” （to help street doggos）， his life changing meeting with Mr。 Ratan Tata， his journey through grad school， his relationships， him becoming a single pet parent， becoming a proud owner of the nano and of course his beautiful journey to the office of Mr。 Ratan Tata。As a reader， I thoroughly enjoyed every single chapter in this book。 Being able to relate to many of his experiences is what made this reading so wholesome。 In addition to all detailed writings， the super adorable illustrations from each chapter helps you picture the whole scenario precisely。 The author having expressed all his emotions in this single book， makes you feel as though you were in the background watching everything。 There were times when I would happily be smiling or grinning to myself while reading the book on the metro， which did result in quite a few heads turning towards me。 I would give this book a 10 on 5 if possible with extra points for the thoughtful drawings。 It’s been quite some time since I’d read a book this cute and heart warming。 I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone。 At the end of the book you will be heavy with emotions and high on inspiration。 Read it and you will thank me later。Also， all the proceedings for this book goes towards the welfare of stray animals， which is also why you should go and buy it right away and start reading :） 。。。more
Anil Kumar
，
You can’t stop reading it once you start。 What an excellent memoir by this young man Shantanu Naidu。 Witty and free flowing narration and cute illustrations。 Indeed a delightful and heartwarming book。 And on top of that you get a glimpse of Mr。 Ratan Tata’s life， showing different aspects of his personality。 Just loved this book。
Ushnav Shroff
，
A quick yet endearing read about life and the many fortunate turns it can take。 A big plus was that a significant part of the book had to do with dogs， and majorly that it read so so well。
Samir Thacker
，
Wow！ I read this book after I found out about it on Cyrus Says， the Podcast。 And I thought I might like it。 And I couldn’t be more wrong！I loved this book！ Absolutely adore it。 If Shantanu wrote this book with the intent of :1。 Reminding the world on how fortunate he is。2。 Share with us about Ratan Tata’s Humane side， his personal traits and his personality as seen up close3。 Make anyone who ever thought of having a canine companion dare to get one finally And 4。 Introduce everyone to how it fee Wow！ I read this book after I found out about it on Cyrus Says， the Podcast。 And I thought I might like it。 And I couldn’t be more wrong！I loved this book！ Absolutely adore it。 If Shantanu wrote this book with the intent of :1。 Reminding the world on how fortunate he is。2。 Share with us about Ratan Tata’s Humane side， his personal traits and his personality as seen up close3。 Make anyone who ever thought of having a canine companion dare to get one finally And 4。 Introduce everyone to how it feels to be at the Tata Trusts office，Then job well done！ Shantanu is clearly a gifted writer who knows how to hold a reader’s attention and convey a large gamut of emotions。 I hope he continues to write。。。I strongly recommend this book to everyone。 。。。more
Seema
，
Like almost every review mentions， I too found this book quite heartwarming。 I came upon this book （literally） by accident and bought it， like most people， because of Ratan Tata。 It promised to bring out his other side beyond the Businessman that he is。 That was what hooked me more。 We have all heard about how he is probably the most empathetic businessman out there。 This book brought out specific instances which glorified those moments。 But enough about the big man because there may not be enou Like almost every review mentions， I too found this book quite heartwarming。 I came upon this book （literally） by accident and bought it， like most people， because of Ratan Tata。 It promised to bring out his other side beyond the Businessman that he is。 That was what hooked me more。 We have all heard about how he is probably the most empathetic businessman out there。 This book brought out specific instances which glorified those moments。 But enough about the big man because there may not be enough space to write about it even if it is just about his life that comes across from newspapers and business journals。 Kudos to Shantanu Naidu for writing this。 I am probably one of the few people who were shocked （pleasantly） to find out he is still in his 20s。 But his writing makes him come across as such an old soul。 I must have been living under a bridge for not knowing about him， I had not even read his viral interview on Humans of Bombay （found it in the book then looked for it on the internet）。 But I have no regrets。 The book talks about his middle class upbringing and touches a nerve when it comes to our values of respect and integrity。 What I loved the best was his easy camaraderie with Ratan Tata， given their age difference， which I'm so envious of。 He has kept the book brief and hasn't overwhelmed the reader with excessive adulation which must be difficult given the person Mr Tata is。 My favorite analogy will always be of the Lighthouse and I couldn't help but identify with the feeling of having found the perfect Mentor。 The fact that they are such staunch Animal Welfare supporters makes them even more lovable。 And although I would love to keep writing every single thing I loved， I believe the true impact of this book can only be felt while reading。 And although I bought the book for Mr Tata， I am sure Shantanu is an author worth following and I am looking forward to knowing what he has to offer in future。 PS: If you are looking to buy， please get it in a physical copy and not an e-book。 I regret the decision because the Illustrations by Sanjana Desai add so much to the reading experience。 。。。more
Nidhi Ahir
，
Hi Shantaa-nuYour book is so warm & lovely。 From the moment I sat to read it， it was unputdownable。 My favourite chapters （in no particular order） are thinking of winter， Lily， bom-bae and aamras。 One thing that really resonated with me was your simplicity and honesty in the way you narrated these stories - it almost felt like sitting with you while you narrated these to me in person。 I also really admire how you’ve written about both the good and the bad considering most people hesitate to docu Hi Shantaa-nuYour book is so warm & lovely。 From the moment I sat to read it， it was unputdownable。 My favourite chapters （in no particular order） are thinking of winter， Lily， bom-bae and aamras。 One thing that really resonated with me was your simplicity and honesty in the way you narrated these stories - it almost felt like sitting with you while you narrated these to me in person。 I also really admire how you’ve written about both the good and the bad considering most people hesitate to document/share their personal failures with others。 This has been one of the best books I’ve read this year。 Thank you。 The world definitely needs more of you。 Sending you， Mr。 Tata and winter a big virtual hug & lots of love。 ❤️ 。。。more
Ameena Anjum
，
I came upon a lighthouse is an amazing book describing an amazing journey！ It's heartwarming， overwhelming and extremely inspiring。 Couldn't describe the book without talking about Mr。 Tata。 The world knew about his accomplishments but reading about the other side of him makes me wish for such a friend， mentor and boss to everybody！ And the illustrations do justice to the beautiful story！ I wish everybody gets to read this book， to see that it comes from a place of pure unadulterated love， from I came upon a lighthouse is an amazing book describing an amazing journey！ It's heartwarming， overwhelming and extremely inspiring。 Couldn't describe the book without talking about Mr。 Tata。 The world knew about his accomplishments but reading about the other side of him makes me wish for such a friend， mentor and boss to everybody！ And the illustrations do justice to the beautiful story！ I wish everybody gets to read this book， to see that it comes from a place of pure unadulterated love， from a place of admiration， of loyalty， kindness and straight from the heart！ I wish everybody who reads it realises that kindness takes you places。 Just like it did for Shantanu。 Congratulations on putting out an amazing memoir！ 。。。more
Niriksha
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 This book is a gem。 The narrative of this story is so warm and full of hope with dollops of good humour and illustrations which is so vivid， I could visualise it for the entire length。 It shows how anything is possible with the unlikeliest of people， in the unlikeliest of ways。 This is a book of hope and countless possibilities。 I almost felt as if I was there to witness this journey between the legendary entrepreneur，Mr Tata， and his colleague。 No spoilers but this is definitely one of the most This book is a gem。 The narrative of this story is so warm and full of hope with dollops of good humour and illustrations which is so vivid， I could visualise it for the entire length。 It shows how anything is possible with the unlikeliest of people， in the unlikeliest of ways。 This is a book of hope and countless possibilities。 I almost felt as if I was there to witness this journey between the legendary entrepreneur，Mr Tata， and his colleague。 No spoilers but this is definitely one of the most touching， inspiring and heart warming book I have ever read。 Loved it。 。。。more
Pooja Daya
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Read the Book ' I came upon a Lighthouse' and I don't know where to begin 🥺。First of all I would like to thank the author for letting us into his life， for sharing what he saw， for being vulnerable and most importantly for bringing to us facets of Ratan Tata that is unknown to the world。 The book is so real。 So precious。 So esthetic。 So warm。 Definitely one of a kind ❤️。 Every page， every paragraph， every word felt so genuine。 The author of the book， Shantanu has definitely put his heart and so Read the Book ' I came upon a Lighthouse' and I don't know where to begin 🥺。First of all I would like to thank the author for letting us into his life， for sharing what he saw， for being vulnerable and most importantly for bringing to us facets of Ratan Tata that is unknown to the world。 The book is so real。 So precious。 So esthetic。 So warm。 Definitely one of a kind ❤️。 Every page， every paragraph， every word felt so genuine。 The author of the book， Shantanu has definitely put his heart and soul into writing this book and it clearly shows ☺️。 I've known and loved Ratan Tata for his selflessness & kindness but if it weren't for the book， I'd never know him beyond that。I've always respected and adored him， but after reading the book my love for him has skyrocketed。 His humility， his empathetic nature， the extent he goes to honour a promise irrespective of the inconvenience caused etc are all lessons for life that I've taken up and intend to follow in my life。 The entire book is wholesome and a delight to the heart but few parts really really stood out for me。 They made me tear up， some made me giggle and the others changed my perspective entirely。 One such chapter that changed my perspective is undoubtedly "Lily" （Lily is author's Car Nano， and is cute as a button）❤️。 Like many others， I am guilty of considering Tata Nano's "Common man's Car" tag as an insult。 It came from a place of naivety and the book made me realise how wrong I was。 The story behind the Launch of Tata Nano moved me to the core。 After reading the book， I've made a promise to myself that whenever I see a Nano on the road I will remember it as a 'Symbol of Empathy， a gesture to take care not just of a customer， but a community'， just as it was meant to be remembered 🥺。 Right from the first chapter， the beginning of Motopaws， the very first email the author received from Mr Tata， his acceptance to Cornell， all about Ithaca， Adopting Winter（ author's doggo）， his New York experience with Mr Tata， his Graduation to him returning back to Bombay （or Bombae， as Shantanu calls it）， working at the Office of the Chairman， Lily's entry to his life， his Work， Vitamin C & turmeric milk filled lockdown ， he has shared it all。He has described everything so amazingly well that it felt as if I've actually met Mr Tata， his Naina， Amma， his friend Sukrut， Winter， Mr Tata's doggos Tito & Tango and of course the guardians of the lighthouse （as the author says） : Deepthi，Denese & Parizaad。 It felt like I've been to New York and Ithaca。I felt like I've lived the author's life without actually living it。 I'd also like to mention the beyond amazing illustrations by Sanjana。 Her illustrations brought life to the author's amazing Stories。 It definitely was an icing on the cake。 I came upon a Lighthouse is undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read and the most wholesome book I've read in a really long time。 I hope everyone gets to read it because trust me， I am an avid reader & it is quite difficult to come across books like these and this one's just toooo good to be missed☺️☺️。 Whoever's reading this review， do yourself a favour and buy the book。 Don't forget to thank me later ;） 。。。more
Poornima Sudhakar
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Dear Shantanu，I don know if you will read this but i couldn't stop myself from writing it。 First of all Thank you so much for this wonderful treat called "I came upon a light house"， i feel i m very lucky to have read the book。 Thanks a million times for bringing reflective collars into action， the idea has saved many many many fur babies lives and you are and will be blessed abundantly for the same（ one of the biggest blessings is that you have met Mr Ratan Tata ji） These reflective collars are Dear Shantanu，I don know if you will read this but i couldn't stop myself from writing it。 First of all Thank you so much for this wonderful treat called "I came upon a light house"， i feel i m very lucky to have read the book。 Thanks a million times for bringing reflective collars into action， the idea has saved many many many fur babies lives and you are and will be blessed abundantly for the same（ one of the biggest blessings is that you have met Mr Ratan Tata ji） These reflective collars are also popular in Bangalore and thanks to you and crew of motorpaws。The illustration was way too awesome， it was not shantanu in the book but the reader of book itself， i felt all the emotions illustrated there， thanks for taking me to Cornell， Newyork，Mumbai and mostly importantly bringing Mr Ratan Tata ji into our lives。 It is a dream of most of the Indians to get a glimpse of Ratan ji but you are the damn most luckiest guy on this universe （which is still an understatement） to have him as a Mentor， big brother and boss。 I really envy you。I really never wanted the book to end， wish it was mega serial or web series which we wait each day to see what unfolds next in your life。 I wish this book had a Telugu translation or version i really want to gift to my Naina。I have adopted two beautiful indie babies， thy are named Rishi（15yrsold） and Leena（ 1yr）。Will share the pics if you get to see this and respond。Last but not least， My love to Ratan Tata ji， Amma and naina， 3 lady Soliders of Tata office and to the lil prince Winter baby。With lovePoornima 。。。more
Isha Dodia
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