Mumbai, October 9, 2024

India and the world have lost a towering figure of industry, humanity, and vision with the passing of Ratan Naval Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully yesterday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, leaving behind a legacy that is indelibly etched into the fabric of Indian business and society.

Born into one of India’s most prominent industrial families on December 28, 1937, Ratan Tata was raised by his grandmother, Lady Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated when he was young. Despite his privileged background, he was known for his simplicity, humility, and deeply ingrained sense of responsibility, qualities that would guide his remarkable journey.

Early Life and Education: The Making of a Leader

Ratan Tata received his early education at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. He went on to study architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University, graduating in 1962. He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1975. However, he turned down lucrative job offers in the United States to return to India, answering the call to contribute to his family’s legacy and India’s industrial growth.

Joining Tata Group: Humble Beginnings

In 1961, Ratan Tata entered the Tata Group, one of India’s largest and most diversified business conglomerates, which was founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868. He began his career on the shop floors of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, where he worked alongside blue-collar workers to gain firsthand experience of the challenges faced by the workforce. This experience would later define his leadership style—grounded, empathetic, and worker-centric.

Chairmanship of Tata Sons: A Transformational Era

Ratan Tata was appointed Chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, succeeding J.R.D. Tata at a time when the Indian economy was opening up to global competition. Over the next two decades, Ratan Tata transformed the Tata Group into a global enterprise, with operations spanning over 100 countries across six continents. His tenure is often described as a golden era for the group, marked by visionary acquisitions and pathbreaking innovations.

Under his leadership, Tata Group made some of the most significant acquisitions in Indian corporate history:
– Tetley Tea (2000), a UK-based tea brand, which established Tata Tea as the second-largest tea company in the world.
– Corus Steel (2007), a European steel giant, making Tata Steel one of the largest steel producers globally.
– Jaguar Land Rover (2008), two iconic British automobile brands, marking Tata Motors’ entry into the global luxury car market.

These acquisitions symbolized India’s growing presence on the global business stage and reflected Tata’s philosophy of integrating Indian values with global ambitions. His business decisions were never driven by mere profit motives but by long-term sustainability and the well-being of the communities the company served.

Innovation: The Birth of Tata Nano

Perhaps the most ambitious and defining project of Ratan Tata’s career was the Tata Nano, launched in 2008. Marketed as the world’s most affordable car, the Nano was intended to provide a safe and affordable transportation option for the masses in India. While the Nano did not meet commercial expectations, it remains an embodiment of Tata’s commitment to innovation and societal welfare, driven by his desire to offer a better quality of life to the common man.

Philanthropy and the Tata Trusts: A Life of Giving

Beyond his business acumen, Ratan Tata’s greatest legacy lies in his dedication to philanthropy. Through the Tata Trusts, which control 66% of Tata Sons’ equity, he oversaw efforts to improve education, healthcare, and rural development across India. Under his stewardship, the trusts funded initiatives to improve clean drinking water, sanitation, and healthcare in remote villages.

Ratan Tata was also instrumental in the creation of institutions like the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata, a state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research facility. His commitment to education led to partnerships with prestigious global institutions like Harvard, Cornell, and MIT, with generous endowments to promote research and innovation.

His philanthropic vision extended beyond India’s borders. In 2010, Tata Group made a $50 million donation to Harvard Business School, the largest ever received by the institution from an international donor.

 2008 Mumbai Attacks: A Testament to Resilience

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of Tata Group’s flagship properties, became a target during the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Ratan Tata’s handling of the crisis and its aftermath earned him global admiration. He personally visited the families of every employee who lost their lives in the attack and ensured that their needs were looked after. Under his leadership, the Taj Hotel was rebuilt and reopened within a year, standing as a symbol of India’s resilience. Tata’s message was clear: the attacks could not break the spirit of India or the Tata Group’s commitment to its people.

Leadership and Legacy: The Cyrus Mistry Episode

Ratan Tata stepped down as Chairman of Tata Sons in 2012, succeeded by Cyrus Mistry, who was eventually ousted in 2016 in a dramatic boardroom battle. The episode was widely covered in the media and marked one of the rare instances of internal conflict within the group. Ratan Tata returned as interim Chairman during the transition and was instrumental in re-establishing stability within the group. Though the Mistry episode brought challenges, Ratan Tata remained committed to preserving the integrity and ethos of the Tata Group.

Post-Retirement and Mentorship: Investing in Innovation

Even after stepping down, Ratan Tata continued to play an active role in shaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape. He became a mentor and investor for numerous startups, particularly in the technology sector. Companies like Ola, Paytm, UrbanClap, and Snapdeal benefited from his guidance and investments, as he believed in fostering innovation to drive India’s future growth.

 Personal Life and Legacy

Despite his towering public profile, Ratan Tata was known for his private, unassuming lifestyle. He never married, a decision he once attributed to missed opportunities during his youth. Known for his love of dogs, his beloved German Shepherds were constant companions, even accompanying him to work at the Tata headquarters.

Ratan Tata’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will endure. His commitment to ethical business, philanthropy, and nation-building will inspire generations to come. In a world driven by corporate profit, he stood as a beacon of integrity, showing that businesses can be both profitable and compassionate.

He is survived by his extended Tata family, a legion of admirers, and a nation that will forever remember him as one of its greatest sons.