As the country mourns the death of one of its greatest sons, Ratan Tata, the people of Assam and the state government have also recalled the connection Ratan Tata shared with the region. Historically, the Tata Group was predominately known in Assam for its connection with the tea industry and for providing heavy-duty vehicles that carry goods in difficult terrains. However, Ratan Tata’s personal connection with Assam was beyond the business of things.
Ratan Tata’s Pivotal Role in Establishing Cancer Hospitals
Assam’s advancement towards cancer care was spearheaded by the state-of-the-art cancer facilities inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 28, 2022. In Dibrugarh, the inauguration was attended by Ratan Tata himself, whose vision was the biggest boost to establishing these hospitals.
Ratan Tata emphasized his personal commitment to improving healthcare, especially cancer care, in Assam. Speaking at the event, Tata stated, “I dedicate my last years to health,” expressing his deep connection to the project. His involvement through Tata Trusts has been instrumental in setting up these cancer hospitals, which aim to provide quality treatment to millions of people in Assam, a region where cancer is prevalent and often untreated due to limited facilities.
The Tata Trusts, under Ratan Tata’s leadership, partnered with the Assam government to build and operate these hospitals across multiple districts, including Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Jorhat, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, Darrang, and Kokrajhar.
This initiative addresses a critical healthcare gap in the state, where access to cancer treatment was once a significant challenge. Ratan Tata highlighted how these facilities are a step forward in making cancer treatment accessible to all, regardless of their financial standing, stating that cancer “is not a rich man’s disease.”
As such in 2021, the Government of Assam conferred its highest civilian award, Assam Baibhav, to Ratan Tata for “his exceptional contribution towards furthering cancer care in Assam”.
Powering Assam with Semi-Conductors
PM Modi laid the foundation of three new semi-conductor plants on March 13. One of the semi-conductor plants has been setup in Jagiroad, Assam in partnership with the Tata Group. Ratan Tata had words of praise for the initiative and saw this initiative in chip manufacturing making Assam to be a major player in the semiconductor market. “The investments being made in Assam transform the state in complex treatment for cancer care. Today, the state government of Assam in partnership with the Tata group will make Assam a major player in sophisticated semiconductors. This new development will put Assam on the global map. We wish to thank the Chief Minister of Assam Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for his support and vision that has made all this possible,” posted Ratan Tata on X.
Taking to X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences. The CM further reflected on the legacy of Tata and the positive impact it had on the people of Assam. “For me it’s a personal loss. My every interaction with him left me wiser, the most recent being when I visited him in Mumbai to thank him for the Semiconductor project and having faith in Assam’s abilities as an industrial base. His simplicity and humility is something I will never forget. His death leaves a huge void which cannot be filled,” posted Assam CM on X.
Beyond the mainstream
Ratan Tata’s vision for the Northeast was unlike any other industrialist. His participation in the Northeast vis-à-vis his projects such as a 5-Star Hotel, Cancer Care Hospitals and a Semi-conductor plant were disruptors that brought the region to the mainstream. In his previous interactions to media, he emphasized the need to engage in the region by industrialists and encouraged businessmen to work beyond the profits.
