India has lost a 'Ratan': Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata passes away at 86

He was one of the world's most influential industrialists yet he never appeared on any list of billionaires. He controlled over 30 companies that operated in over 100 countries across six continents yet lived an unpretentious life. Ratan Naval Tata, who died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86 years, enjoyed a perhaps unique status -- a corporate titan who was considered a 'secular living saint' with a reputation for decency and integrity.

Tata joined the family firm after acquiring a B.S. in architecture from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1962. He initially worked on the shop floor, gaining experience in a number of Tata Group businesses before being named director in charge of one of them, the National Radio and Electronics Co in 1971. He became chairman of Tata Industries a decade later and in 1991, took over as the chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle, JRD, who had been in charge for more than half a century. This was the year when India opened its economy and Tata soon turned the group, which began as a small textile and trading firm in 1868, into a global powerhouse with operations stretching from salt to steel, cars to software, power plants and airlines.

He was the chairman of Tata Sons, the group's main holding company, for more than two decades during which the conglomerate aggressively sought to expand, acquiring London-based Tetley Tea in 2000 for USD 431.3 million, buying truck-manufacturing operations of South Korea's Daewoo Motors for USD 102 million in 2004, paying USD 11.3 billion to take over Anglo-Dutch steel manufacturer Corus Group and spending USD 2.3 billion to purchase elite British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from the Ford Motor Company. Along with being one of India's most successful business tycoons, he is also known for his philanthropic activities. His personal involvement in philanthropy began early. In the 1970s, he initiated The Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College project, laying the foundation of one of India's premier healthcare institutions.

After his appointment as the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, Tata's philanthropic efforts gained new momentum. He actively steered the Tata Trusts, established by his great-grandfather Jamsetji, towards addressing vital social needs and set up institutes of excellence like the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and funded educational initiatives across India.

Despite being the embodiment of class and elegance, Tata was not untouched by controversies. Though the group was not implicated directly in the 2008 scam in the allocation of second-generation telecom licences, he was drawn through the leaked recordings of purported phone calls he made to lobbyist Nira Radia. He was not implicated in any wrongdoing.

In December 2012, he ceded control of Tata Sons to Cyrus Mistry, who was his deputy then. But the owners had problems with the functioning of the first non-Tata family member, leading to the ouster of Mistry in October 2016. Ratan Tata was said to be one of the shareholders who disagreed with Mistry on several projects. This included Mistry's decision to stop loss-making small car Nano, a pet project of Ratan Tata. Following Mistry's ouster, Tata briefly served as the interim chairman beginning in October 2016 and returned to retirement in January 2017 when Natarajan Chandrasekaran was appointed the chairman of the Tata Group.

He has since been the emeritus chairman of Tata Sons. During this time, he donned a new hat, helping young entrepreneurs of the 21st century, investing in new age tech-driven start-ups which will play a significant role in shaping the future of the country. In his personal capacity and some through his investment company RNT Capital Advisors, Tata invested in over 30 start-ups, including Ola Electric, Paytm, Snapdeal, Lenskart and Zivame. One wet monsoon evening not many moons ago, dog-lover Tata had decreed that any strays outside the conglomerate's HQ in downtown Mumbai be allowed shelter. Some never left but their benefactor is no more.

Ratan Tata, the iconic Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, has passed away at the age of 86. The news of his demise was confirmed by Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, who described Tata as a "friend, mentor, and guide." Ratan Tata was a towering figure in Indian business, renowned for his leadership, visionary approach, and commitment to social welfare. His passing marks the end of an era for one of India’s most storied business conglomerates.

The industrialist had recently addressed rumors about his health through a social media post, stating that he was undergoing routine medical check-ups due to his age. This effort to reassure his fans and well-wishers reflected the deep bond he shared with people across India and beyond. Despite these reassurances, his death has left a void in the hearts of many.

Ratan Tata was appointed chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, at a time when the conglomerate was navigating significant challenges. He inherited the leadership from his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, and transformed the company into a global powerhouse. Under his stewardship, Tata Sons expanded into various sectors, including technology, telecommunications, steel, and automotive industries, making the Tata Group a symbol of Indian enterprise on the global stage.

One of his first notable achievements as chairman was the establishment of Tata Teleservices in 1996, which marked the group’s entry into the telecommunications industry. This move was visionary, given the rapid expansion of the telecom sector in India in the ensuing years. Tata also demonstrated his prowess in the technology sector, taking Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) public in 2004. Today, TCS is one of the world’s leading IT services companies and remains a pillar of the Tata Group’s success.

Ratan Tata's leadership was marked by a series of bold decisions that helped the Tata Group achieve remarkable growth. In 2007, he spearheaded the acquisition of British steelmaker Corus, followed by the acquisition of iconic automobile brands Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008. These moves transformed Tata Steel and Tata Motors into global competitors, with a significant presence in international markets. Although these acquisitions came with challenges, Tata’s vision helped turn these companies into profitable entities over time.

In addition to his business acumen, Ratan Tata was widely respected for his integrity, humility, and commitment to philanthropy. He believed in the philosophy of giving back to society and was a strong advocate for social development. Through the Tata Trusts, he supported initiatives in education, healthcare, and rural development, impacting the lives of millions of Indians. His contributions to India’s social and economic development earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, two of the country’s highest civilian honors.

Tata stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons in 2012, passing the baton to his successor, Cyrus Mistry. Although he formally retired from an active role in the group, he remained involved in various philanthropic initiatives and continued to inspire generations of business leaders. In recent years, he was particularly active on social media, where he engaged with young entrepreneurs, shared insights, and advocated for social causes.

Ratan Tata's legacy extends far beyond his business accomplishments. He was a statesman in the truest sense, and his leadership exemplified values of integrity, resilience, and compassion. His passing is not only a loss for the Tata Group but also for the entire nation, which looked up to him as a symbol of ethical business practices and visionary leadership.