Ratan Tata is the boomer influencer we didn't know we needed

As a millennial, the cutest thing on my Instagram feed is an 82-year-old man. Yes I’ve seen the little, excitable piggy running around with the kittens, yet somehow I find Ratan Tata absolutely adorable.

Late last year, the chairman reintroduced himself to the public via Instagram:

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I don’t know about breaking the internet, but I am so excited to join all of you on Instagram! After a long absence from public life, I look forward to exchanging stories and creating something special with such a diverse community!

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Oct 30, 2019 at 3:44am PDT

And while he was skeptical about breaking the internet, he did indeed break hearts.

Radiating happiness and positivity, RT is our new life coach.

He’s the influencer we didn’t know we needed. In a world of memes, Tata shaking hands with his late dog, Tito, is just a treat.

Is it just me or does this photo feel like a cuddle?

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Today would be the 14th birthday of my late dog, Tito. I still come home to two kind souls and meet so many others in and around the office. While few have the comfort of families, many struggle on the streets, and yet somehow, their affection remains the same. Those of you who strive for the welfare of the voiceless, truly have my respect.

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:35pm PDT

His feed’s got it all: style, class, empathy, vision, advice and yoga.

Yoga, you ask?

Please submit into evidence this photo of an octogenarian sitting on the floor cross-legged, sending you all his love and unbridled joy.

Not to quote Patanjali out of context, but we heart #yogaeverydamnday.

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I’ve just seen that the number of people on this page has reached a milestone. This wonderful online family is not what I expected when I joined Instagram and I have you to thank for it. I do believe that the quality of connections you make in this age of the internet is far greater than any number. Being a part of your community and learning from you is truly exciting and makes me very happy and I hope our journey together continues.

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Feb 10, 2020 at 9:47pm PST

Unlike flashier influencers crowding your feeds, Mr Tata celebrates hitting 1 million followers on the ’gram with great sentence construction and a smile.

The Parsi in me wants to buy a new phone, crack a coconut next to it and follow him from a newly created @Ratan4President stan account.

In a world of memes shaming boomers who refuse to adapt with the times, Ratan is here to learn. He wants to be a part of the future, understand it and help shape it for the better.

He’s learning about #ThrowbackThursdays and also providing me with my #ManCrushMonday.

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I was going to post this yesterday, but I was then told about “throwbacks” and how they occur on Thursdays. So here is a throwback from my days in LA, not long before I happily returned to India. #throwbackthursday

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Jan 22, 2020 at 9:48pm PST

I’m not gushing, you’re gushing.

@hotgirl3265 influenced you to wash your face, great whatever. Ratan influenced an entire country to make their own cars.

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Everyone told us it couldn’t be done without having a joint venture or a partnership with an international company. That if I did this, I would be linked to failure. But we went ahead anyway. There were technical issues and many lessons we learned. It was a wonderful experience to be breaking new ground. The chances to give up were many. We stayed the course, worked out each issue, and that was the birth of India’s 1st indigenous car, The Tata Indica.

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Nov 6, 2019 at 5:55am PST

And now he’s influencing policy to make those cars better, more sustainable, to help the planet in a realistic, gradual manner.

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I would hope that the governments of the world and the auto industry can take a measured view on the propulsion system for the car of the future. The jump to all-EV is difficult, especially without omnipresent charging infrastructure. The approach should realistically legislate the different types of propulsion systems and our journey to electric vehicles can always be supported by improvement in IC Engines and introduction of hybrids.

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Feb 5, 2020 at 3:14am PST

Activism is hot.

Here he is channelling Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

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It is not just the end of a year, but the end of a decade too. I look forward with excitement to the new decade ahead, which is a great time to be relevant, to stand for causes you believe in, to create something from scratch, make special connections, laugh, and write a little bit of history. Here’s one of my favorite moments from this decade, flying the F18 Super Hornet at the Bangalore Aero Show.

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Dec 27, 2019 at 9:22pm PST

I mean this picture needs to be featured on @hotdudesreading A.S.A.P.

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It is overwhelming how quickly time passes. Be it the struggles of yesterday or the good days close to heart, everything seems to have happened not very long ago. I look at the years since this picture at Cornell, and I’m heartened by the richness of experiences, opportunities and lessons I have learnt. Life should be full of these, because the years can truly be elusive. #tbteveryday

A post shared by Ratan Tata (@ratantata) on Nov 16, 2019 at 9:34pm PST

He’s returned something to the internet I had long believed to be lost. Sincerity.

Raising the bar on influencing, Ratan Tata seems to genuinely want to connect and contribute.

Like a Golden Retriever puppy in human form.