That incomplete love story of Ratan Tata! When the film brought Tata’s ‘first true love’ on screen after decades

New Delhi: Ratan Tata had his/her ‘first true love’ with the daughter of a famous architect in America in the 1960s. This relationship could have progressed, but fate had something else in store. This has been revealed in a new biography of Tata. However, in recent years, the two came closer again through the Hollywood film ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ (2007). Let us tell you that Ratan Tata passed away last month. When Ratan Tata was studying in America, he/she met Caroline Emmons. Caroline’s father, Frederick Earl Emmons, was a well-known architect and also Ratan’s father’s business partner. Together they established a successful architecture firm named ‘Jones & Emmons’. When Caroline was 19 years old, she met Ratan. Author Thomas Matthews has written in his/her new book ‘Ratan Tata: A Life’, ‘Caroline had said that she liked Ratan at first sight. his/her parents also liked Ratan very much. Matthew further writes, ‘But this relationship did not last long.’

Both their fathers were architects

One special thing between Caroline and Ratan was that both their fathers were architects. In January 1962, Ratan received a BSc degree in Architecture from Cornell University, New York. Her final thesis was evaluated by Caroline’s father’s business partner, Jones. Ratan wrote a letter to Jones and talked to him/her. Upon receiving a positive response, Ratan moved to Los Angeles, where he/she got a job at Jones’ firm. It is told in the book that Caroline’s father liked Ratan very much. Her mother also felt that Ratan was a very calm and decent person and no one could be better than him/her for Caroline.

Ratan Tata returned to India to meet his/her grandmother

However, in July 1962, Ratan returned to India to visit his/her ailing grandmother and the relationship did not progress. It is further stated in the book that, ‘Caroline was also expected to come to India. But on October 20, 1962, war broke out between India and China. Although a ceasefire was reached within a month, from an American’s perspective, the situation was still tense. Soon after, the two parted ways.

‘…could not give another chance to my relationship’

Caroline always regretted that she could not give their relationship another chance. She later married Owen Jones, an architect and pilot. There were two children from his/her marriage. Caroline is quoted as saying in the book, ‘The interesting thing is that I married a man who was very similar to Ratan.’ Owen died in 2006. A year later, Caroline was watching the movie ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ with her friends. The film tells the story of three brothers who come to India on an emotional journey. After watching the film, a friend of Caroline’s asked her if she had ever thought about visiting India. It is further written in the book, ‘Just this little thing refreshed his/her old memories.’

Caroline came to India to meet Ratan Tata

Caroline replied that she knew someone in India and expressed her desire to Google him/her. he/she came to know online that Ratan is now the chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Trust. Caroline contacted Ratan again via email and told him/her about her plans to visit India. Next year he/she visited India and spent about 5 weeks here.

‘Ratan Tata used to take Caroline for dinner’

Matthew writes, ‘Ratan and Caroline met in Delhi and spent some time with each other. Since then, Caroline has been visiting India regularly. She visited Ratan on his/her 80th birthday on December 28, 2017, in Mumbai and visited him/her again in 2021. Whenever Ratan goes to America, he/she takes Caroline for dinner.

Ratan Tata died on 9 October

Let us tell you that Mathew is a retired bureaucrat and his/her book “Ratan Tata: A Life’ is based on hours-long conversations with Ratan Tata, his/her friends, family and colleagues. Ratan Tata died in a hospital in Mumbai on October 9, 2024. he/she died and was cremated with full state honours.