Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

OK, TATA : WHY IS TATA IN THE ICU?

Rate this book
Amit writes a riveting history of the Tata group and captures the sense of nostalgia associated with JRD Tata and the early industrial efforts. Importantly, Amit takes a contrarian view of the carefully cultivated image of the group, it’s inflexion points and the family.
Sampath "Sam" Iyengar
PE Investor, Advisor & Former Global CEO

The difference between an “Entrepreneur” and an “Investor” became more distinct to me after i read this book. While most Investors judge a company by its “data’ an entrepreneur will mine that data, and Amit has done in his own unique and through manner, which I must say is very engaging and an eye opener.This book by Amit is has insights and revelations about the most trusted companies we have known in India.
Pravin Malkani
Architect and Entrepreneur, Mumbai

A frank voice that opines in a no-holds-barred manner, he plays not only the single role of an author, but also that of part historian, part observer, part journalist, and part critic. Loaded with data, figures, graphs, and photographs, this quick handy guide about the Tatas is a researched compendium replete with analysis and commentary.
Preeyam Budhia
President - Business Development, Patton Group

OK Tata is another example of what Amit does best - challenging perspectives. The book doesn't force its ideas on the reader, it rather keeps it open and lets the reader draw their conclusions. It has a bold take on Mr. Ratan Tata and the legacy surrounding him. Pick it up and you are guaranteed a roller coaster ride into the world of Tatas even though you may not agree with it all. Amit - you have done it again.
Yeshaswi Ramaswamy
Human Resources Professional

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2018

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Amit Bagaria

21 books1,780 followers
His parents thought he was studying business administration in the USA.
 He was actually studying journalism.

His parents thought he was doing case studies on IBM and Pepsi. 
 He was actually interviewing the Governor of Ohio or a convicted murderer in jail.

When he was a consultant for the Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital in Pune, he told Rajshree
 Birla and Kumar Mangalam Birla their offices would be in the Basement of the Hospital.

As an entrepreneur, Amit has been India’s No.1 Healthcare Consultant, India’s No.1 Retail Consultant, and India’s No.1 Residential Real Estate Consultant, apart from excelling in several other sectors.

As a Retail Consultant, he wrote prolifically for various retail publications. For one article, he interviewed several industry leaders, including Kishore Biyani, considered the father of modern retail in India. Little did poor Mr. Biyani know that Amit would lambast him in the article. The next time they ran into each other, Mr. Biyani told Amit that - being a fellow Marwari - he should have been less critical of him.

It was the same article that led a leading publisher to approach Amit to write a book - back in 2010, 
but that part of Amit’s life only began 7 years later. When he did begin, he did not stop or even pause. He has completed 11 books in 26 months and is now working on his 12th.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
134 (82%)
4 stars
23 (14%)
3 stars
2 (1%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Amit Mongia.
1 review
February 23, 2025
So, in none of the reviews, I am amazed that people have not addressed the elephant in the room. The BOOK IS Biased.

I started reading and the first chapter was off-putting but then the history was concise, relevant and insightful. The family tree tells a lot. Chapter about Sir 'Jeh' was refreshing, like the man, it seems.

But somehow the author seems too biased against Ratan Tata. My only problem is that it seems that ir order to show a contrarian view, certain aspects are omitted.

e.g. We are talking about the apparent failures of acquisition. This could be factually correct but then why are we not at all talking about what he might have done for TCS -was there zero contribution from his side there? Okay, Tata motors market share dipped but so far we have been talking about profitability and rev growth of companies - all of a sudden the yardstick changes to market share when we talk about TaMo.
Sorry unable to read beyond Tata 5.0. Maybe whatever that has been written is factual but i think there is error of omission and hence not recommended.
4 reviews
March 2, 2020
Liked the book would have liked some more details on the personal life of JRD. As much as this book is about JRD it also chronicles how successive governments systemically killed industrialization and how India lost the golden years. Companies after companies which were nationalized and we can all see today where are they in terms of operational efficiency. India as a country owes a lot of gratitude to this man who spearheaded the wave of industrialization in this country, there were other industrialist in his time but if someone established the real industrialization and laid the foundation of a robust and ethical corporate culture we all owe it to him .

Looking at the state of affairs now especially when Air India is so much in news one wonders to what height Tata's would have taken it if it wasn't snatched from Tata's and a legend like JRD.
6 reviews
March 2, 2020
Tata name has been present in India, before the independence.
This books gives a detailed view about the difference between Industrialists (Tatas) and businessmen (others). Most of the information is available in public domain, though the writer does a brilliant job in collating those information and adds more to it.

From Jamsetji, to JRD to RNT, this books accounts for all the ups and downs and struggles of the group.

Must read if you have interest in understanding what industrialists are supposed to do, and not just think about increasing the bottom line
6 reviews
March 2, 2020
Its a best book to read, read and read. you just cant read it once. This book is for keeping it yourself. Whenever we feel low. We can read about these great chronicles. The value system of all men in this family is literally a boost for everyone. They really did a lot for this country. And every one should know there importance. They have great value system. They all are driven from heart. And they did made it possible.
5 reviews
March 2, 2020
The book clearly reflects the Tata culture which the pioneers of the company have inculcated since it's inception and followed by the leaders of the company thereafter.It gives a brief information of all the major companies owned by the Tata Sons,and their success stories till date.
The author has done a very fine job in acquainting the audience with the Tata group of companies and their world-wide recognition
3 reviews
March 2, 2020
'OK TATA’ is a well written book on the Tata's journey of over 150 years. It is filled with anecdotes and gripping stories of how the most trusted Indian company is built. It contains not just the sequence of events of building the Tata Group but also an emotional saga of an Indian Enterprise.
Every entrepreneur should read this to know how a profitable business is built, with the focus on social well-being and not on financial gains.
4 reviews
March 2, 2020
An inspirational read about Tata's. The writer takes the reader through the experiences of this conglomerate with years of history in a detailed manner. Adding this book to my collection has been a great decisions of 2020. I would definitely recommend not just entrepreneurs but every one to buy this book and read it. Another good point is, this book is ideal for both multiple short readings or long reading.
3 reviews
March 2, 2020
There have been may books about JRD and his life and business decisions. This book serves as a concise refresher to those books and for the people who read about JRD for the first time, gives his various facets and dimensions as a man. Even though he inherited a grand behemoth of an organization, he stamped his indelible mark all along the way as his lasting legacy, which has been well documented in this book.
Profile Image for Carson.
41 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2020
Tata name has been present in India, before the independence.
This books gives a detailed view about the difference between Industrialists (Tatas) and businessmen (others). Most of the information is available in public domain, though the writer does a brilliant job in collating those information and adds more to it.
Profile Image for Miles Theo.
39 reviews
March 2, 2020
This book offers so much in just few pages! It's a very readable and inspiring history of the Tata family spanning 200 years, interwoven with the story of nation building, told in an accessible and engaging style. The best book on the Tata group out in the market! Highly recommend it to readers interested in India's business stories.
5 reviews
March 2, 2020
As a voracious reader, I usually introspect books before reading them but I had just purchased this book as I had read the name Tata. That's the effect of a name. But after reading this book thorough I realised it's just not about the glorifying image of tatas but also about learning from them. Very helpful
4 reviews
March 2, 2020
Amit Bagaria has taken up the herculean task of capturing the 150 years journey of a business group. The book does complete justice in capturing the history and presenting it in the most palatable way. It is an interesting blend of unknown anecdotes and thorough financial analysis research. It's a book for all to read and feel proud of an Indian company which put India in the world map.
4 reviews
March 2, 2020
The author keeps the reader very well engaged and presents an interrelated chain of events. It is an excellent contribution and a reminder of the family of industrialists which has gone out of their way to serve this nation. A must-read for people of all ages and backgrounds. It will certainly have some valuable takeaways for every reader.
3 reviews
March 2, 2020
Amit Bagaria has excelled himself in this beautifully written biography on JRD Tata, largely regarded the father of Commercial Aviation in India and one time Chairman of the Tata group. What is insightful is the sensibilities that defined the man. This book serves to impart much learning to those who choose to read it.
3 reviews
March 2, 2020
This is a good book which provides summary of the Tata family right from the begining. It is an eye opening and makes you wonder how a very tiny fraction of the large Indian population can make such a large industrial development and that too running g the empire with honesty, integrity and donating large sums of money for the overall good of common people.
6 reviews
March 2, 2020
Book has inter-spread between the recounting of events and accomplishments, interesting cues on thinking process, its commitment and execution rigor, that make TATA truly differentiated. Yes, one gets reminded of importance that TATAs give to community interests and ethical approach to business - reflected in often cited examples, that are public knowledge now.
Profile Image for Mason.
62 reviews39 followers
December 9, 2019
Awesome, splendid, interested, mind boggling and what not! This book is a jackpot in itself. A must buy for entrepreneurial souls and for all who would love to read something new. Highly recommended
Profile Image for Taylor West.
59 reviews38 followers
December 9, 2019
I always wanted to read something like this and guess what! I loved this. This book was as per my expectations and it faired well in the score test! Overall a beautiful book that almost everyone should read
Profile Image for Jordon Kale.
63 reviews38 followers
December 9, 2019
Talking about the cover it is eye catching yet intriguing. The story and the narrative is also good. The writing style, formation of the book is also beautifully done. I absolutely liked this book. A big thumbs up from my side for this book
Profile Image for Amelia Cross.
64 reviews78 followers
December 9, 2019
The author has done an immensely terrific job by writing such a book! I lovedddd it! You wouldn't believe it but I just couldn't put this book down for a single minute. It's that awesome! Go for it!
84 reviews39 followers
December 15, 2019
I always wanted to read something like this and guess what! I loved this. This book was as per my expectations and it faired well in the score test! Overall a beautiful book that almost everyone should read
77 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2019
Talking about the cover it is eye catching yet intriguing. The story and the narrative is also good. The writing style, formation of the book is also beautifully done. I absolutely liked this book. A big thumbs up from my side for this book
Profile Image for Lily Adams.
54 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2019
Must read for students and academic world. Super analogies, instances shared from the real business world. Entrepreneurs and professionals can learn, imbibe and implement relevant learning’s in the system.
Profile Image for Morgan Banga.
44 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2019
"what to do, what not to do" - is a lesson that is critical to anyone's knowledge. This book so far helps readers decode this very important aspect. More to follow as today is just day 1 of purchase. It also gives a glimpse of how powerful the time is..
Profile Image for Casey Dean.
42 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2019
The book clearly reflects the Tata culture which the pioneers of the company have inclucated since it's inception and followed by the leaders of the company thereafter.It gives a brief information of all the major companies owned by the Tata Sons,and their success stories till date.
Profile Image for Natalie Chroma.
43 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2019
Delivery ,being a prime member, was super quick.
Book is a fantastic read. Lot of new things were discovered while reading. This book is boon for those who wanted to know about Tata group and their work environment
Profile Image for Lucas.
52 reviews
March 2, 2020
The Book is a great treatment on helping us to be aware of the Corporate Group that has been forefront in making of our nation and putting it on global map when it comes to businesses. I loved the book.
Profile Image for Mia Rose.
51 reviews
March 2, 2020
Amazing book which give insight on legacy of promoters of the company in last one century .Philanthropy is the base of the company and that is the factor which motivate them to make profit.
I hope we had more companies like TATA in our country.
Profile Image for Caroline Weibster.
51 reviews
March 2, 2020
Amazing to read this book & to wisdom soul , he is always inspirational for so many Indians , reading about him always motivates you , he is real ratan & hardworking man who have done lot for philanthropy !!
Profile Image for Julia Sapphire.
46 reviews
March 2, 2020
It's about his Goals, Enthusiasm, Courage, Inspiration, Determination, Simplicity, Curiosity, His life. This book has everything. His experiences and learnings can brighten the light at the end of any entrepreneurial tunnel. It's easy to come first, but what's difficult is to be there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews