India (Commonwealth Union)_ The late industrialist Ratan Tata’s beachfront home in Seychelles, a quiet heaven along the serene shores of Mahé Island, is now on the market. The property is known for its understated elegance and its location on one of the island’s most picturesque coastlines. Although foreign citizens are generally barred from buying land in Seychelles, Tata received a rare exemption at the time of purchase. Now, the prospective buyer happens to be the same man who helped him secure it years ago, entrepreneur C. Sivasankaran.
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Sivasankaran, best known as the founder of Aircel, is a Seychelles citizen and played a key role in enabling Tata to acquire the villa. Their association grew into a close personal relationship. For several years, Sivasankaran visited Tata’s Mumbai residence almost every day, often arriving early enough to watch him finish his morning exercise routine. One anecdote he often recounts comes from a flight they shared to Seychelles. After an engine snag prompted concern, he emailed his son his Gmail password in case of an emergency. But Tata, undisturbed, simply told him, “Let the pilots do their job.”
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According to reports, Sivasankaran and his family are now considering buying the villa from Tata’s estate. If the transaction takes place, the proceeds would go to the Ratan Tata Endowment Foundation and the Ratan Tata Endowment Trust, the charitable bodies that manage most of Tata’s assets. The family is reportedly prepared to pay around $6.2 million, or roughly ₹55 crore, though Sivasankaran has not confirmed any final agreement. Tata had willed the property to RNT Associates, his Singapore-based investment company, which has supported a number of Indian startups. External valuers have estimated the villa’s worth at approximately $8.5 million (about ₹85 crore).
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When asked directly about the potential purchase, Sivasankaran said that no final agreement had been reached. Seychelles has had long-standing ties with the Indian industry, including issuing a commemorative stamp in 1982 honoring Tata Motors. Indian Hotels, part of the Taj group, also managed a property on Denis Island for several years, though neither company currently has operations in the country. Born in Chennai on July 29, 1956, Sivasankaran built his career from an early age. He launched Aircel in 1999 and expanded it into one of India’s leading telecom brands. Beyond Aircel, he has founded or led ventures such as Sterling Computers and Dishnet DSL. His Siva Group today spans more than 30 companies in sectors including shipping, wind energy, health food, and telecommunications. As of 2025, his estimated net worth stands at about $24 million.
