Ratan Tata, Iconic Indian Business Leader Who Took Tata Global, Passes Away at 86

Ratan Tata dies at 86 business empire global

Ratan Tata, Iconic Indian Business Leader: Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Group has passed away at the age of 86. He rose to international fame with a series of big ticket international deals. In 2008 he famously bought British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford (F).

“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,” said the statement issued Wednesday.

In a post on X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to Tata’s passing, calling him a “visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.”

“He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses,” he wrote.

“I think the one thing the family has done is it created a lot of industries in the early days, prior to independence, which were national industries,” Tata told CNN’s Sara Sidner in a rare interview in 2011. “And then gave most of it away in philanthropic grants. And that’s been something that’s been carried on by their successors through the years.”

Also Read: Mukesh Ambani’s Heartfelt Farewell to Ratan Tata: ‘You Will Always Remain in My Heart'

Tata took over the reins of Tata Sons in 1991 and was responsible for taking the Tata Group to new heights. Under his leadership the group expanded globally, acquired iconic brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea and grew to over $100 billion by 2012. He retired as Chairman of Tata Sons in December 2012 but continued to be the Chairman Emeritus and a key advisor to the group.

Born in 1937 to a Parsi family, an ethno-religious group of Persian descent in India who follow the Zoroastrian religion, Tata graduated from Cornell University where he studied architecture and structural engineering.

He completed his graduation from Cornell University and Harvard Business School, Ratan Tata joined the Tata Group in 1962 and started working on the shop floor of Tata Steel. His leadership style was transformational – he brought in modernisation, innovation and global expansion and positioned the Tata Group as a global player. He also did major acquisitions like Corus and Tetley which marked India’s arrival on the global industrial map.

Besides business he was deeply committed to philanthropy and social causes. As Chairman of the Tata Trusts he directed a significant portion of the group’s profits towards healthcare, education and rural development. His initiatives touched the lives of millions of Indians – funding programs for underprivileged communities, enhancing healthcare systems and educational opportunities for countless individuals.

His leadership extended beyond business to national pride and economic self reliance. From the launch of the Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car to his role in India’s space program through ISRO, Ratan Tata’s legacy is everywhere in Indian industry.

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Condolences poured in from around the world with corporate leaders, politicians and common man expressing their sorrow. Google CEO Sundar Pichai recalled his last meeting with Tata and said he was dedicated to making India better.

“He deeply cared about India’s progress and the wellbeing of its people,” Pichai shared. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, expressed his deep sadness, noting that Tata’s leadership and mentorship were invaluable to the Indian business community. “Ratan’s contributions have shaped not just the Tata Group, but also the nation’s industrial landscape,” Mahindra added.

In 2000 the group acquired British firm Tetley, owner of one of the largest global tea brands for $432 million. Seven years later Tata Steel won the $12.1 billion Corus battle, a British steel company.

In 2008 he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour for his contributions to trade, industry and philanthropy. He also received many honorary doctorates and awards from institutions around the world and became a global icon.

As India bids adieu to one of its biggest industrialists, his work will continue to shape the country. His dream of making India a global economic superpower along with his relentless giving back to society has left a permanent mark on the nation.

His legacy will be remembered not just for his business but also for the compassion and leadership he showed in every walk of life. As he himself used to say “I don’t believe in taking right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right”. His legacy is the proof of that.

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