Mumbai: Ratan Tata, one of India’s most respected and influential business leaders, passed away today at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The industrialist, aged 86, leaves behind an unmatched legacy that spans across decades of visionary leadership, transforming the Tata Group into a global powerhouse and contributing to the country’s economic growth. Known for his quiet, unassuming personality, Tata also made significant philanthropic contributions, earning widespread admiration.
A shy and private individual, Ratan Tata led the Tata Group for over 20 years, retiring in 2012 at the age of 75. He leaves behind a legacy not only as a successful businessman but as a figure who never courted controversy, a rarity among leaders of his stature. His name became synonymous with integrity and vision, propelling the Tata brand to new heights.
The Life of a Visionary
Born on December 28, 1937, to Naval Tata and Sunu Commissariat, Ratan Tata had a challenging upbringing. His parents separated when he was seven, and he and his younger brother, Jimmy, were raised by their grandmother, Nawazbai Tata. Tata pursued higher education in the United States, earning a BS in Architecture from Cornell University in 1962 and completing an Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1975. Upon the advice of JRD Tata, he turned down a job offer from IBM to join the family business, marking the beginning of his iconic career.
Starting as a trainee on the shop floor of Tata Steel, Tata immersed himself in the nitty-gritty of business, even working in challenging conditions like handling blast furnaces. By the late 1970s, he was tasked with leading companies like the National Radio and Electronics Company Limited (NELCO) and Empress Mills. His leadership capabilities became apparent, and in 1991, he succeeded JRD Tata as chairman of Tata Sons, marking the beginning of a new era for the conglomerate.
Transforming the Tata Group
Ratan Tata’s ascent to leadership brought sweeping changes to the Tata Group. He modernised the company, ushering in a youthful energy that revitalised its operations. Companies like TISCO and TELCO were rebranded as Tata Steel and Tata Motors, respectively. Under his stewardship, the company’s revenue and profit multiplied, and global acquisitions such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Corus, and Tetley firmly established Tata on the international stage.
Among his many achievements, Tata is perhaps best known for introducing the Tata Nano, the world’s most affordable car, priced at just ₹1 lakh. This ambitious project aimed to make car ownership accessible to millions of Indians.
However, Tata’s journey wasn’t without challenges. The group faced financial pressures, including a staggering debt of $26 billion at one point, which caused concern among investors. His telecom business also came under stress following the 2G spectrum scam. Yet, Tata’s leadership helped the group navigate these turbulent times.
A Legacy of Leadership and Philanthropy
Ratan Tata stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons on December 28, 2012, at the age of 75, appointing Cyrus Mistry as his successor. At the time of his departure, the Tata Group’s total sales stood at ₹4.51 trillion, a staggering 43 times higher than when he took charge in 1992-93. Despite stepping down, he continued to head two of Tata’s key charitable trusts, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which hold a 66% stake in Tata Sons.
In later years, a public fallout occurred between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry, leading to Mistry’s ousting. N Chandrasekaran, formerly of TCS, succeeded Mistry as the chairman of Tata Group and continues in the role today.
Ratan Tata was widely celebrated for his philanthropy, receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, two of India’s highest civilian honours. He was also named the 26th Robert S. Hatfield Fellow in Economic Education by Cornell University. Across the world, 15 institutions awarded him honorary doctorates in fields ranging from engineering to business management.
Ratan Tata’s passing is a profound loss to India and the business world, but his legacy of leadership, innovation, and service to humanity will continue to inspire future generations.