The last Tata Nano, named Lily, has a special place in Indian automotive history—not just as a compact car but as a representation of Ratan Tata’s promise to make safe and affordable mobility for the Indian middle class. Owned by Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata’s former assistant and now General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors, Lily is more than a car. Naidu’s heartwarming post on Instagram that has gone viral, standing beside Lily and reminiscing about the significance of the car for him.
A Car Born out of Compassion and Vision
He calls Lily a “memory keeper”, a tribute to an engineering dream born out of compassion—one that started when Ratan Tata saw a family of four precariously riding a two-wheeler in the rain and decided to give them a safer option. The Nano was launched in 2008 with a target of being a Rs 1 lakh car and it struck a chord with millions of Indians.
In his post, Naidu writes, “Six years to Lily today 🙂 She may be small but she has held my entire life, breakdowns, breakthroughs, love and loss. She’s a memory keeper, evidence of a promise kept and an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten. Thank you Lily for your loyalty and love, despite all the battle scar dents. Happy sixth to the last Nano from the shop floor.”
A Wave of Nostalgia
Naidu’s post has added an emotional layer to the Nano’s legacy—celebrating it as a fulfilled dream by Ratan Tata. His connection with Tata has made the story more personal and many are resonating with it online. As the post continues to go viral, it has triggered a wave of nostalgic and heartfelt comments from those who loved the iconic Nano, with many wishing to see the car back on the roads.