With Bookies, Shantanu Naidu is crafting a legacy that shows his mentor’s spirit of compassion and connection.
Shantanu Naidu, widely known as Ratan Tata’s close confidant, is now leading a heartwarming movement to reignite the joy of reading. His latest initiative, Bookies, is a reading campaign designed to help people rediscover the pleasure of silent reading in public spaces.
Reviving the Love for Books
Naidu’s mission with Bookies is simple yet impactful to create spaces where readers can come together and immerse themselves in the written word amid the distractions of modern life. After successful launches in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, Bookies is now heading to Jaipur, with its inaugural session planned for Sunday, December 8.
Announcing the Jaipur event on LinkedIn, Naidu expressed his enthusiasm said “Jaipur, it’s time. We will see you on Sunday the 8th at Jaipur Bookies. Sign up for the launch below. So excited!”
The announcement included a link for reading enthusiasts to register for the event.
What Is ‘Bookies’
Speaking at a recent Bookies session in Bengaluru, Naidu elaborated on his inspiration for the initiative and said “Bookies has always been about bringing back reading. Reading is central to the human experience, but it’s been pushed into the background.”
He also reflected on the diminishing attention spans of today’s digital age and said “We used to watch three-minute Reels, but now we struggle with even 1:30-minute videos.”
Naidu also plans to expand Bookies to cities across India, including Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Surat, creating a nationwide movement to counter digital distractions and celebrate the joy of reading.
Legacy of Ratan Tata
Shantanu Naidu’s deep connection with Ratan Tata was evident in their personal and professional endeavors. Tata named Naidu in his will, waiving his education loans and relinquishing stakes in their joint venture, Goodfellows, which pairs senior citizens with young companions.
When Ratan Tata passed away at the age of 86 in October, Naidu shared a heartfelt tribute stating “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. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse.”
In another emotional update, Naidu reflected on the outpouring of support he received:
“Still coming to terms with the fact that I will never see him smile again. Strangers from across the country have sent messages full of so much care, as if you and I are family for years. Every time grief threatened to swallow me, a message or gesture would bolster me a little bit.”
By creating spaces for readers to rediscover the beauty of books, Naidu is fostering a community rooted in shared love for stories and knowledge—a fitting tribute to the values instilled in him by Ratan Tata.