Ratan Naval Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, a beacon of India Inc who steered his group amid India’s economic liberalisation and, subsequently, guided its global expansion, breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai Wednesday night. Tata, 86, was admitted following age-related health issues and was undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Announcing his passing away, Tata Sons chairperson N Chandrasekaran, in a statement, said: “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… On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”
Conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, Tata was considered one of the biggest philanthropists in the country whose benevolence touched lives of millions through his work in the field of healthcare, education, drinking water and many other areas. He was Chairman of the Tata Group between 1990-2012 and interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017.
After taking full control, Tata led from the front in globalisation of Indian business houses in the early 2000s. The first was Tata Tea’s acquisition of Tetley in 2000. Tata then went on an acquisition spree buying as many as three dozen small and big companies. Then came Tata Steel’s takeover of Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus; and the British automobile marquee Jaguar and Land Rover by Tata Motos from Ford Motors.
Tata, born on December 28, 1937, joined the Tata group in 1962. After serving in various companies, he was appointed Director-in-Charge of the National Radio and Electronics Company in 1971.Tata served on the international advisory boards of Mitsubishi Corporation and JP Morgan Chase.
Though he never married, Ratan Tata is taken well by all in his humility, integrity, and vision. He remained active in public life, offering guidance and advice on various national and global platforms. His leadership has had a profound impact on Indian industry, and he continues to be an advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Ratan Tata’s legacy is a mix of ethical leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to India’s social development-a lineage not unlike some of the most iconoclastic business leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the demise of Ratan Tata’s death. PM posted on X and said, “My mind is filled with countless interactions with Shri Ratan Tata Ji. I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”