SRM varsity students engage Ratan Tata interactively

Chennai: “If India should shine, let the people have the freedom to decide,” Ratan Tata said in an interactive session with SRM University students on Wednesday. "As you go through life, many things you could not find in college, you will find it in your profession down the line," Tata told the students stressing that there are many qualities that are sought after in young leaders but the bottom line must be one of making a difference.

"Be honest in what you think and do and this goes for any profession," the industrial and business magnate remarked. Prior to the interactive session with students drawn from all faculties of SRM University - Engineering and Technology, Science and Humanities, Medical and Dental Sciences, Health Sciences, Management and Law - Tata had a meeting with the Founder Chancellor of SRM University, Dr Paari Vendhar, where they discussed the challenges and opportunities of higher education in India.

Referring to the fact that so many young minds of India choose overseas destinations for higher studies, Tata observed that this would not be the case if educational institutions offered proper facilities and faculties. Lavishing praise on the state-of-the-art facilities at SRM University and endorsing the institution's plans for the future,

Tata told young minds that along with team work, timing, plan and innovation, there has to be intuition for any program to succeed; but at the same time not every plan or venture is going to succeed. "Take everything as a learning exercise," Tata advised the student community.

Asked on his parameters of support to start-ups, Tata argued that while he is interested in the ideas of the young minds on projects, his support to any will also depend on not only viability but also in an assessment of 'greed' of the entrepreneur. "I like investing in young companies, but money-alone and greed is not what I am for," Tata said.