Ratan Tata is no more: India's great industrialist dies at the age of 86, the journey of transforming the Tata Group
Ratan Tata, one of India's most iconic industrialists and chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, has died at the age of 86. Becoming chairman of the Tata Group in 1991, he led the group to global recognition while serving in the position until 2012. He took Tata Consultancy Services public, acquired iconic brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover, and manufactured the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano. He also had a keen interest in the philanthropic work of the Tata Group. Ratan Tata, who came close to getting married four times in his life, remained unmarried and was also a devoted advocate for animal rights.
INDC Network : Mumbai : Ratan Naval Tata, one of the most iconic and respected figures in Indian industry, died at the age of 86. Ratan Tata, who was chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, globalised Indian industry and took the Tata Group to new heights during his tenure from 1991 to 2012.
He was born on December 28, 1937 in Mumbai, and studied architecture at Cornell University in the early years of his life. He then completed a management course at Harvard Business School. But his greatest recognition came from the Tata Group, where he transformed the company into a worldwide business empire, carrying forward the legacy of his great-grandfather Jamsetji Tata.
Journey with Tata Group: Ratan Tata became the chairman of Tata Group in 1991, when the group was going through a difficult phase. His vision and leadership helped the group expand not only in India but also internationally. Under his tenure, Tata Group took the IT company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) public and acquired iconic brands like Jaguar and Land Rover in the automobile sector.
His most talked about project was the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car. He launched it in 2009, making the middle class' dream of owning a car come true. This ₹1 lakh car created a distinct identity, symbolizing innovation and affordability.
Apart from expanding the Tata Group, Ratan Tata also played an important role in the telecom sector. He founded Tata Teleservices in 1996, which made a significant contribution to the telecom revolution.
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Acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover: In 2008, Tata Group took a big step by acquiring the iconic British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. This acquisition proved to be a milestone for the Tata Group and was considered a symbol of "reverse colonialism" as an Indian company acquired British brands.
Contribution to Philanthropy: Ratan Tata was not only a successful industrialist but also a philanthropic leader. Under his leadership, Tata Trusts took several important initiatives in the field of education, healthcare, and social development. He maintained and promoted the philanthropic tradition of his great grandfather.
N Chandrasekaran, currently the Chairman of Tata Sons, expressed grief over the demise of Ratan Tata and said, "Shri Ratan Tata not only built the Tata Group into a global brand but also shaped the fabric of our nation."
Personal life and honors: Ratan Tata achieved many great achievements in his life, but one special thing in his personal life was that he never got married. According to himself, he came close to marriage four times, but due to some reason or the other, it was not possible. He once admitted that he fell in love while living in Los Angeles, but due to the Indo-China war in 1962, the girl's parents stopped him from going to India.
His greatest recognition came from his humble nature and integrity. He received India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008 and the third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, in 2000.
Cyrus Mistry Controversy: Ratan Tata's succession was also not untouched by controversies. After Ratan Tata stepped down in 2012, Cyrus Mistry was appointed the chairman of Tata Sons. But after a high-profile boardroom coup in 2016, Cyrus Mistry was removed from the post. This dispute between the two lasted for a long time and remained unresolved. Cyrus Mistry died in a car accident in 2022, after which this chapter was closed.
Life after retirement: After retiring as the chairman of Tata Group in 2012, Ratan Tata served as the honorary chairman of the group. Even after retirement, he remained active on social media and remained popular among people for his inspirational posts. In particular, his sentiments and posts about animal rights, especially dogs, touched people's hearts.
He ensured that Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, remained a safe place for stray dogs, showing his dedication towards animal rights in his life.
Ratan Tata's popularity can be gauged from the fact that according to 360 One Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2023, he was the most followed entrepreneur from India with over 13 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and around 10 million followers on Instagram.
Tata Group's Largest Shareholders: The largest shareholder in the Tata Group was another Parsi businessman, Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, who held an 18% stake. His son-in-law, Cyrus Mistry, was also Ratan Tata's half-brother. The Mistry family's stake in the Tata Group also led to boardroom disputes.
Legacy: Ratan Tata's life has been inspiring not only as an industrialist but also as a philanthropist and ethical leader. He transformed Indian industry and society and brought fame to the Tata Group globally. His legacy and work will continue to inspire generations to come.
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