Legendary Industrialist, Philanthropist Ratan Tata Passes Away; A Life to Learn From

Mumbai: Ratan Naval Tata, a legendary figure of Indian industry and chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, passed away late Wednesday night at the age of 86.

He was being treated for prolonged illness at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.

In his last social media post on October 7, Ratan Tata thanked everyone for thinking of him as he dismissed reports regarding his health. He said that he remained in “good spirits” and was undergoing medical check-ups for his age and related medical conditions.

“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

Ratan Tata returned to India in 1962 after getting a degree in architecture from Cornell University. He joined the company founded by his great-grandfather. Throughout his life proved to be an able mantle to several Tata companies, including Tata Motors and Tata Steel. He proved to be major catalyst in turning around National Radio & Electronics Company.

In 1991, Ratan Tata took over as chairman from his uncle JRD Tata. It was the time of economic liberalization in India. He also brought in reforms within the Tata Group with thrust on succession planning, inducting younger talent, and tightening control over the businesses.

Under Ratan Tata, the group opted for global expansion, including the acquisition of iconic international brands like the British tea company Tetley in 2000, Corus Steel in 2007, and Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008.

His vision also extended to the development of Tata Motors’ Indica, the first Indian-designed car, and the Nano, a car intended to be the most affordable in the world.

He was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2008, the second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan. He was also appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rockefeller Foundation.