'No one cares about getting old until they actually do.' Ratan Tata invests in start-up for companionship to senior citizens
By ET Online | Updated:
Highlights
- Life for the elderly can be a lonely trek, reiterated Tata
- The businessman gave a shout-out to Shantanu Naidu
- 25-year-old Naidu is a general manager in Tata's office
- Naidu has been clicked with Tata on various occasions
“You do not know what it is like to be lonely until you spend time alone wishing for companionship."
These words by Ratan Tata at the launch of a start-up once again, reiterated the fact that life for the elderly can be a lonely trek. Looking dapper in a white shirt and a pair of white trousers, the business tycoon took time off his busy schedule to lend his support to Goodfellows, a start-up that offers companionship to senior citizens as a service.
Tata's investment in the start-up - founded by Shantanu Naidu who has been assisting the senior Tata in his office since 2018 - remains undisclosed. The 25-year-old Naidu is a general manager in Tata's office and has been snapped with the former Tata Group chairman on numerous occasions.
The businessman gave a shout-out to Naidu for his idea and execution. He also mentioned a bitter life truth about getting old: "No one cares about getting old until they actually get old."
Naidu, while speaking at the launch, said there are 50 million old people who are living by themselves and have no one to share their lives with. Talking about his start-up, the Cornell-educated youth said that Goodfellows hires youngsters who have the skills of empathy and emotional intelligence to work as the companions of senior citizens. They are also required to ease their day or help them with any task.
He also mentioned that in its beta phase, the start-up has been working with 20 elders in Mumbai for the past six months. It is now planning to offer services in Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru next.
In the video, Tata is seen interacting with actress Shriya Pilgaonkar, YouTuber Scherezade Shroff and veteran actress Sulabha Arya among others.
These words by Ratan Tata at the launch of a start-up once again, reiterated the fact that life for the elderly can be a lonely trek. Looking dapper in a white shirt and a pair of white trousers, the business tycoon took time off his busy schedule to lend his support to Goodfellows, a start-up that offers companionship to senior citizens as a service.
Tata's investment in the start-up - founded by Shantanu Naidu who has been assisting the senior Tata in his office since 2018 - remains undisclosed. The 25-year-old Naidu is a general manager in Tata's office and has been snapped with the former Tata Group chairman on numerous occasions.
The businessman gave a shout-out to Naidu for his idea and execution. He also mentioned a bitter life truth about getting old: "No one cares about getting old until they actually get old."
Naidu, while speaking at the launch, said there are 50 million old people who are living by themselves and have no one to share their lives with. Talking about his start-up, the Cornell-educated youth said that Goodfellows hires youngsters who have the skills of empathy and emotional intelligence to work as the companions of senior citizens. They are also required to ease their day or help them with any task.
He also mentioned that in its beta phase, the start-up has been working with 20 elders in Mumbai for the past six months. It is now planning to offer services in Pune, Chennai and Bengaluru next.
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A video shared by celebrity lensman Viral Bhayani on Tuesday afternoon had over 20K likes and comments on his feed. Bhayani captioned it, "Active and smiling at the age of 84. Unstoppable #ratantata Today for GoodFellows launch."In the video, Tata is seen interacting with actress Shriya Pilgaonkar, YouTuber Scherezade Shroff and veteran actress Sulabha Arya among others.
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