Shantanu Naidu’s New Chapter: From Ratan Tata Manager To Spreading ‘Bookies’ Across India

Shantanu Naidu, popular for his close proximity to the late industrialist Ratan Tata, has declared the expansion of his silent reading initiative, Bookies, to Jaipur. He unveiled the Jaipur chapter on LinkedIn, inviting residents to join the event scheduled for Sunday, December 8.

“Jaipur, it‘s time. We will see you on Sunday the 8th at Jaipur Bookies. Sign up for the launch below. So excited!” Naidu shared, gearing upRajasthan‘s reading community.

What is Bookies?

Bookies is an innovative reading movement initiated by Naidu to reignite the exhilaration of silent reading in open spaces. From Mumbai, it has successfully moved to Pune and Bengaluru and received immense interest. The movement entices readers, who gather at public spots, read their favourite books, and engage in a digital-free, technology less distraction-filled experience.

Speaking at a recent session in Bengaluru, Naidu highlighted the importance of reading in today’s fast-paced digital age. “Reading seems central to the human experience. However, it’s been sidelined. We’re so used to short Reels that even a 1:30-minute video feels long now,” he said, emphasizing the initiative’s mission to bring reading back to the forefront.

Naidu plans to extend Bookies to more Indian cities, such as Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Surat, making a nationwide reading culture an even greater reality.

A Friendship That Defined an Era

Apart from literature, Shantanu Naidu had an extraordinary friendship with Ratan Tata. Ratan Tata has described Naidu as his “shadow” in his last days, and this friendship is quite rare in legacy. As mentioned in the reports, he has named Naidu in his will, and Naidu’s Good fellows company will no longer owe the stake; education loans taken by him are also waived.

After Tata‘s death in October, Naidu wrote an emotional note. He said that Tata was his “lighthouse” and that he is really in great pain. “The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love,” he shared.
A Vision for the Future
Through Bookies, Naidu is celebrating Tata‘s legacy but also advocatingfor a return to introspection and learning through reading. Jaipur is nowpart of the movement towards creating a community united by the love for books.