Ratan Tata Reveals Feeling ‘Humiliated’ by Harvard Classmates

In 2013, Ratan Tata disclosed that during his initial days at Harvard University, he felt “confused” and “humiliated” as a new student, anxiously “crossing out day by day” on his calendar, yearning to return to the “normal world.”

Tata Recounts Early Harvard Days

Reflecting on his early weeks at Harvard, Tata recounted the overwhelming experience of attending the prestigious institution. “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,” he shared.

Tata participated in the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School (HBS) in 1975. He was invited to speak at the dedication ceremony for Tata Hall in Boston, named in his honor.

Tata Hall, a seven-story building made of glass and limestone, offers residential and educational space for HBS’s executive education program. He described his first weeks at Harvard as “confusing,” admitting he felt “humiliated” by the remarkable accomplishments of his peers, according to a report from the Harvard Gazette.

“But what it did do for me, as I soon found out, was that the confusion sort of disappeared, and I understood the magnitude of what I had learned in a manner that I believe is not possible to do in places other than at this Business School,” he explained. Looking back, he stated, “As I look back, those 13 weeks were probably the most important 13 weeks of my life. They transformed me and my perspective.”

As an architect, Tata envisioned Tata Hall to be warm and welcoming to guests and as open and transparent as possible. “Can the building touch the ground lightly?” he had asked the building’s architect.

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In 2010, Tata Companies, along with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Tata Education and Development Trust, contributed $50 million to HBS. Construction of the building commenced in December 2011. Tata Hall features 179 bedrooms, two classrooms with 99 seats each, three gathering areas, and conference rooms for over 9,000 students engaged in the prestigious Business School’s executive education program annually.

Harvard’s dean, Nitin Nohria, remarked, “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.”