Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata died at a hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday. He was 86 years old.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to announce the news of Ratan Tata’s death. “It is with great loss that we say goodbye to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly extraordinary leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but the fabric of our nation,” wrote Chandrasekaran, describing Tata as. “more than the chairman”.
“To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his leadership expanded its global footprint while remaining true to its moral compass,” wrote the Tata Sons Chairman.
Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and community development has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his efforts have left a deep mark that will benefit future generations. What strengthened all this work was the true humility of Mr. Tata in every individual interaction. On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the ideals he fought so hard for,” added Chandrasekaran.
— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) October 9, 2024
A few days ago, Tata was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.
Ratan Tata, the patriarch of the salt-to-software conglomerate who needs no introduction, is credited with leading the team into a new era with style.
Tata had resigned as Chairman of Tata Sons after 50 years of service to the group. He was then appointed Chairman Emeritus of the company that manages the group.
In 2008, the Government of India awarded Tata the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest award.
Here is a summary of Tata’s life, as described on the Tata Sons website:
- In 1937, Ratan Tata was born to Soonoo and Naval Tata.
- In 1955, he went to Cornell University in New York, USA, where he studied architecture and engineering for seven years.
- In 1962, Tata received his Bachelor’s degree in architecture.
- In 1962, he joined the Tata group. He was an assistant at Tata Industries. Later that year, he went on a six-month training at the Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company’s Jamshedpur plant (the same company known as Tata Motors today).
- In 1963, Ratan Tata moved to the Tata Iron and Steel Company, or Tisco (now Tata Steel), at its Jamshedpur facility for a training program.
- In 1965, he was appointed chief technical officer of Tisco’s engineering division.
- In 1969, he worked as a representative of the Tata group in Australia.
- He returned to India in 1970 and joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for a short period.
- In 1971, he was appointed managing director of National Radio and Electronics (Nelco), an ailing electronics business.
- He joined the board of Tata Sons in 1974 as a director.
- In 1975, he graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
- He was appointed as the Chairman of Tata Industries in 1981 where he started a program to transform the company into a promoter of high-quality businesses.
- In 1983, he wrote the Tata Strategic Plan.
- During the years from 1986 to 1989, he served as the Chairman of Air India.
- On a historic day on 25 March 1991, Tata took over from JRD Tata as Chairman of Tata Sons and Chairman of Tata trust.
- In 1991, he began restructuring the Tata group. At that time it was a time when the Indian economy was undergoing a historic revolution of independence.
- From 2000 onwards, the Tata group’s growth and globalization drive gained momentum under his leadership. The conglomerate entered the new millennium with a series of high-profile acquisitions, including Tetley, Corus, Jaguar Land Rover, Brunner Mond, General Chemical Industrial Products and Daewoo.
- In 2008, Tata launched the Tata Nano.
- Later that year, Tata received the Padma Vibhushan.
- In December 2012, he resigned as the Chairman of Tata Sons and was appointed as the Emerging Chairman.
