Recalling My Time at Tata Memorial Cancer Centre in Mumbai and How it Shaped My Life and Career
- From their salt-to-software conglomerate to their deep commitment to philanthropy, the Tata family has always focused on improving the lives of others.
Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; create your own opportunities — Ratan Tata (1937 -2024)
My time at the Tata Memorial Cancer Centre in the early 1990s was nothing short of life-changing. Tata Memorial, which was founded in Lower Parel, Mumbai, on Feb. 28, 1941, by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, has always stood as a beacon of hope and excellence in cancer care and research. For over 80 years, it has provided unparalleled patient care, training, and groundbreaking research in cancer treatment.
By the time I joined the pathology department as an instructor, the hospital had already established itself as a global leader in cancer care. I was surrounded by exceptional professionals like Dr. Anita Borges, Dr. Nirmala Jambhekar, Dr. R.S. Rao, and Dr. Suresh Advani, whose dedication to their patients left a lasting impact on me. These individuals embodied the compassionate work ethic that is the hallmark of the “Tata” legacy, and it has stayed with me throughout my career.
One of my most memorable moments at Tata Memorial occurred in 1991 during the hospital’s 50th-anniversary celebration. It was a time of excitement, and preparations for the event filled the air. A special stamp was being released to mark the occasion, and the chief guest was none other than Sir J.R.D. Tata himself. To my surprise, I was selected to present a bouquet to him. I couldn’t believe it — why had they chosen me?
Living in Vashi, New Bombay, far from the city, I rushed to get ready that day, borrowing my sister’s kanjivaram silk saree and hopping on two B.E.S.T. buses to make the long journey to the hospital.
Once there, I found myself sitting in the front row, bouquet in hand, waiting for my moment. When I walked up to Sir J.R.D. Tata and presented the bouquet of red roses and white tuberoses, he smiled and, with a mischievous glint in his eye, said, “He was the most eligible bachelor.” His remark left me speechless, and I could only smile shyly as I walked back to my seat, still processing the brief yet extraordinary encounter with a man I had admired for so long.
In late 1992, I was fortunate enough to attend an American Cancer Society conference in Los Angeles as a representative of Tata Memorial. Carrying fliers for the upcoming XVI International Cancer Congress in New Delhi in 1994, I made friendships that still enrich my life today. That trip sparked a new chapter in my career, leading me to apply for a visiting investigator fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York.
After passing my ECFMG exam, I began my residency in pathology at North Shore Hospital, Cornell University. I was thrilled to present a paper at the International Cancer Congress in New Delhi, but by then, sadly, J.R.D. Tata had passed away, (otherwise I might have had the courage to remind him of his remark from 1991) leaving Ratan Tata at the helm of the Tata Group.
Watching Ratan Tata’s leadership unfold over the years has been awe-inspiring. Born in 1937 in Bombay, Ratan Tata studied architecture at Cornell University and joined the Tata Group in 1961, starting from the shop floor of Tata Steel. In 1991, he succeeded J.R.D. Tata as chairman of Tata Sons. Under his leadership, the group expanded internationally, acquiring Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, transforming Tata into a global business empire. More than his business acumen, he is known for his altruism. Ratan Tata never married and led a solitary life dedicated to the legacy of Tata and Sons. He poured himself into many philanthropic efforts, supporting education, healthcare, and rural development through the Tata Trusts. His personal investments in over 30 start-ups and innovations like the Tata Nano car show his commitment to improving the lives of ordinary people.
Ratan Tata’s vision extended beyond profits; he always believed in giving back to society. From the Tata Innovation Center at Cornell Tech to Tata Hall at Harvard Business School, his contributions have been monumental. The Tata Trust’s philanthropic arm has supported numerous educational initiatives, including scholarships for Indian students at Cornell University. His dedication to healthcare, particularly cancer care, has furthered the legacy of the Tata Group in countless ways, a legacy that began with Jamshedji Tata and was carried forward by J.R.D. and Ratan Tata.
Looking back at my own journey, I realize how much the Tata Trust has shaped my life and career. Their support, both direct and indirect, opened doors for me that I could never have imagined. I returned to India in 1994, filled with gratitude for the opportunities I had been given, and I always dreamed of returning to Tata Memorial to give back as a volunteer. Now, with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) having opened in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, I hope to visit my old colleagues and perhaps make that wish come true.
The Tata ethos — rooted in service, excellence, humility and humanity— continues to inspire me. From their salt-to-software conglomerate to their deep commitment to philanthropy, the Tata family has always focused on improving the lives of others. I feel deeply honored to have been even a small part of this remarkable journey.
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With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.