Ratan Naval Tata, the visionary leader and former Chairperson of Tata Group, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at the age of 86, succumbing to age-related illnesses. A revered industrialist in India, Tata was celebrated not only for his remarkable contributions to business and society but also for his profound humility. His name has become synonymous with integrity, leadership, and philanthropy, leaving an indelible mark on the global industrial landscape.
He was renowned for his understated nature and simple lifestyle. He chose to remain unmarried and maintained a life of quiet dignity. Among his many prestigious honours, he was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2008, recognising his extraordinary contributions to trade and industry. It is no surprise that today, not just India but the entire world mourns his loss and remembers him fondly. Through his ethical leadership and boundless generosity, Ratan Tata’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, a beacon of what it means to lead with purpose and heart.
EARLY LIFE
“I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that I’m going to be positively surprised.” – Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai (then Bombay), into a Parsi family. His parents, Naval Tata and Sooni Commissariat, divorced when he was 10, and he was subsequently adopted by his grandmother, Nawazbai Tata. He was raised alongside his half-brother Noel Tata, who now succeeds Ratan Tata as the Chairman of Tata Trusts. Ratan received his education in India and the U.S., eventually graduating from Cornell University with degrees in Architecture and Structural Engineering, and completing Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.
THE TATA EMPIRE
“Take the stones people throw at you and use them to build a monument.” – Ratan Tata
Tata began his career humbly in 1962 at Telco (now Tata Motors) and Tata Steel, working in various roles, including at limestone quarries and blast furnaces. In 1971, he was appointed director-in-charge of Nelco, a struggling Tata Group subsidiary, but despite his efforts, the company couldn’t overcome the economic challenges of the time. In 1981, he became Chairman of Tata Industries, and later in 1991, he succeeded his uncle, JRD Tata, as the Chairman of Tata Group, facing scepticism but quickly proving his worth as a leader. Once, during a strike that crippled operations at one of his firm’s factories in Pune in 1989, Tata told journalists, “Perhaps we took our workers for granted. We assumed that we were doing all that we could do for them, when probably we were not,” a classic example of his instrospection and modesty.
In 1996, he founded the telecommunications firm-Tata Teleservices, and took the IT firm-Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004. Tata also led the group into global markets and embraced technological innovation post-liberalisation. His major international acquisitions included Tetley Tea in 2000, Daewoo Motors’ truck division in 2004, and the landmark acquisition of Corus Group in 2007 for $11.3 billion, making Tata Steel the world’s fifth-largest steelmaker. In 2008, Tata Motors acquired Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) for $2.3 billion, transforming it into a profitable brand.
His personal projects at Tata Motors included Indica, the first indigenous car model designed and built in India, and Tata Nano, launched in 2008 as the world’s cheapest car, aimed at making vehicle ownership accessible for millions. However, after the initial wave of success and excitement, the brand started falling behind other manufacturers due to challenges in production and marketing. Tata later acknowledged that branding the Nano as ‘the world’s cheapest car’ was a significant misstep, remarking, “People don’t want to be seen driving the world’s cheapest car!”
Under his leadership, Tata Group’s revenues soared, crossing $100 billion by 2011-12. The only significant controversy in Tata’s career occurred during the public dispute that arose after Cyrus Mistry, a member of the billionaire Shapoorji Pallonji family, was ousted as chairman of Tata Sons in 2016. The Tata Group stated that Mistry had failed to revive underperforming businesses, while Mistry accused Ratan Tata, then chairman emeritus, of meddling and establishing an alternative power centre within the group.
CHAMPION OF PHILANTHROPY
“Never underestimate the power of kindness, empathy, and compassion in your interactions with others.” – Ratan Tata
After retiring in 2012, Tata remained involved in philanthropy and mentored young entrepreneurs, investing in over 30 startups, including Paytm, Lenskart, and Ola Electric. He was a major advocate of education, healthcare, and rural development, and a leading philanthropist. Since a long time, Tata companies have been dedicating significant profits to charity. As one of the world’s biggest philanthropists, Tata donated around 60–65% of his income to charitable causes. During the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, one of the main targets, saw 33 of the 166 victims, including 11 hotel employees, lose their lives. Tata prioritised the safe evacuation of guests and pledged lifelong financial support to the families of the deceased employees. He also spent over $1 billion to restore the hotel within 21 months. The incident highlighted his resilience and deep compassion. Such examples of humility and generosity are probably why “India ko Tata ke hawale kar dena chahiye,” is a phrase often repeated by Amer Jaleel, the brain behind the Tata Tea ‘Jaago Re’ campaign.
In 2010, Tata Trusts donated INR220 crore to establish the Tata Medical Centre in Kolkata, a premier cancer treatment and research facility. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts pledged INR1,500 crore to support India’s response to the crisis. Of this amount, INR500 crore from Tata Trusts was allocated for personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and improvements to healthcare infrastructure. According to its annual report, Tata Trusts disbursed INR456.42 crore in FY23, with INR397.36 crore for program grants, INR2.24 crore for small grants, and INR56.82 crore for individual grants. Founded by Jamshedji Tata in 1892, Tata Trusts contributed over $102.4 billion to philanthropic causes by 2021, ranking first in the global list of philanthropists that year. Ratan Tata also supported Goodfellows, a startup that connects senior citizens with graduates who provide companionship.
Through the Tata Trusts, he supported various initiatives, including a $70 million donation to the University of California, San Diego, to establish the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, focused on biotechnology and disease control. He also helped fund Tata Halls at Harvard Business School and Cornell University, where he set up scholarships for Indian students. Other contributions include funding the Tata Innovation Centre at Cornell Tech, and donating to research facilities at Carnegie Mellon University & Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Tata also supported neuroscience research on Alzheimer’s at the Indian Institute of Science.
FLYING HIGH
While we all recognise Ratan Tata’s kindness, he was also fun-loving and young at heart. His social media presence reflects this spirit; he joined Instagram in October 2019 and quickly gained popularity, reaching one million followers by February 2020. Today, he has over 10.4 million followers on the platform, which he casually refers to as “gram.” In February 2020, he celebrated hitting the one-million mark with a post that drew many congratulatory comments, but one comment stood out. A woman referred to him as “chhotu” in a congratulatory message, prompting backlash from others. However, Tata defended her, urging people to treat her with respect; he wrote, “There is a child in each one of us. Please treat this young lady with respect.”
He was also a licensed pilot who occasionally took to the skies in the company’s aircraft. He learnt flying during his time at Cornell University. He faced some alarming experiences, including an incident in college when he lost an engine while flying a helicopter and two instances of losing the single engine in his plane, requiring him to glide in for landing. As Mr. Tata once said, “The day I am not able to fly will be a sad day for me.” Today, we are all filled with sadness, but we hope that this time he is given even greater wings, soaring as high as the clouds in his new abode.
The world will truly miss you, Mr. Tata.
REMEMBERING THE LEGEND RATAN TATA
Piyush Pandey
Veteran ad-man and Advisor to Ogilvy
“It is not just a loss to the nation but a big loss to humanity. I had the opportunity of meeting Mr. Ratan Tata once at length, where the late Ranjan Kapur and I spent an hour with him. We discovered the human side of him and his humbleness while he was talking about his own vulnerabilities. One big moment associated with him, which I still remember, is when he launched the Tata Nano at the auto show. I saw it on TV and cried. I truly wanted him to win with Nano, but circumstances didn’t allow it to happen. I wish I had got the opportunity of meeting him more often. RIP the gentleman of all gentlemen.”
Prasoon Joshi
CEO & CCO, McCann Worldgroup India and Chairman of McCann Asia Pacific
“For many of us, Ratan Tata feels like more than a business leader and the loss feels personal —he’s someone we’ve admired from afar, a man whose quiet strength, humility, and unwavering ethics made him a national treasure. Growing up, I remember the reverence in my father’s voice when he spoke of Tata’s vision and how he brought India to the global stage. Later, as a starry-eyed youth who looked at him in awe from afar whilst he walked briskly at the Navy Nagar Club to inspiring interactions at industry meetings, and then a sense of pride on having the opportunity to work on the Air India relaunch - it’s been quite an arc. But for me, it wasn’t just about the businesses he built; it was the compassion and humility with which he led.”
Sam Balsara
Chairman, Madison World
“I first saw Mr. Tata in the wide corridors of Nelco sometime in 1986 and then came face to face with him. I did not know him then. Yet, he extended his arm to shake my hand and thank me for my hard and sincere work for Nelco to shore up sales of its Nelco Blue Diamond TVs. That left a lasting impression on me about the man. My commitment to Nelco increased manyfold. Over the subsequent decades, I met him many times, though less frequently since Blue Diamond TVs could not compete against the questionable commercial practices of Indian businessmen importing TV sets in CKD condition and selling them. On one occasion, I met him on an India Airlines flight when he was travelling with JRD, and he was kind enough to introduce me to him. I was fortunate to meet him recently, about 6 months ago, at his elegant home in Colaba along with a group of senior Parsi citizens to discuss welfare measures for Parsis, who needed financial assistance, especially in the health area. Though frail, he was mentally sharp and made many useful suggestions and volunteered help from his insurance company. I was surprised that he indulged in some Parsi banter with one or two of our older Parsi colleagues, whom he seemed to know personally for decades. Recently, my daughter Lara heard at Harvard Business School, ‘The more power you have, the humbler you should be, and the humbler you are, the more power you have.’ Perhaps this thought was planted by Ratan Tata in Harvard, where a majestic building stands in his honour and makes India proud.”
Sanjiv Mehta
Executive Chairman, L Catterton India and Former Chair & CEO, Hindustan Unilever
“During my days as HUL CEO, I invited Ratan Tata to come and address our managers which he readily agreed to. He shared his philosophy and his stories with humility and consummate ease and charm. I have had occasions to meet him and he was always full of grace and exuded humanity, leaving an indelible imprint on me. Ratan Tata was a beacon of vision and compassion and leaves behind a legacy that will forever resonate in our hearts. His journey was marked by a deep commitment to his roots and a passion for innovation. He exemplified what it meant to lead with integrity and purpose, guiding the company to new heights while staying true to its core values. He demonstrated not just the pursuit of excellence but also a dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of ordinary people. Yet, it was Ratan’s personal touch that really distinguished him. He had an extraordinary ability to connect with people from all walks of life, forging relationships based on respect, trust, and kindness. His laughter could fill a room, and his wisdom was sought by many. I had once mentioned to him that our daughters had gone to his schools, Roshni at Cornell and Naina at HBS. He always remembered this and would enquire about their well-being.”
Prashant Peres
Managing Director, Kellanova South Asia
“Mr. Ratan Tata exemplified a higher order of leadership that set him apart. His kindness and humility will be spoken about for many years to come. Those traits he brought to life for me in an interaction that left a lasting impression on me. Around 10 years ago, I had the honour of being among the employees addressed by Mr. Ratan Tata in the Mumbai office; he was, at that time, a member of the global Mondelez board. One of the questions put to him was about leadership and training, which led to Taj employees across ranks and files choosing to stay behind to help guests on the day of the 26/11 attacks. I remember he thought for a moment and then replied, ‘I know of the HBR (Harvard Business Review) case study, which credits our HR practices for some of this. However, to attribute any of their actions to something that we did would be to diminish their courage and their sacrifice; they individually deserve all the praise and credit for their selfless actions. In a day and age when leaders, whether in the corporate or political spheres, jostle to take credit and attach themselves to success, he was someone who could justifiably take some credit for the kind of culture and values he upheld that the Tata group has been known to stand for. Yet, at that moment, he chose to step back and give it to those whose individual courage he saluted. In a world where kindness is often seen as a weakness, it was one of his greatest strengths. Truly inspirational. May his soul rest in peace.”
B. Thiagarajan
Managing Director, Blue Star
“Prior to joining Blue Star, I worked for Voltas, one of the Tata Group companies, for about 14 years. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Ratan Tata on four occasions in brief encounters during those days and subsequently. He was a role model for many of us, and that he was at the helm of affairs at the Tata Group was a matter of pride and strength. He will be remembered as a unique and remarkable leader who displayed determination and conviction as well as compassion and humility.”
Harsha Razdan
Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Dentsu
“I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Ratan Tata personally, yet his passing feels like a personal loss. I can only imagine the impact he has had on those directly associated with him. He leaves behind extraordinary leadership lessons for all, including myself, and will always be remembered for his humanitarian outlook, integrity, humility, and kindness. With his passing, an era comes to an end. He will be deeply missed for decades to come, I think. Because the values he leaves behind are timeless.”
Gunjan Shah
Managing Director and CEO, Bata India
“The passing of the visionary Mr. Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief. His strong sense of purpose and commitment to serving humanity have inspired countless individuals, including myself. Mr. Tata’s legacy is one of compassion and generosity, reminding us that true greatness is measured by the positive impact we have on others. His extraordinary work serves as a powerful inspiration for the next generation of workers. We are grateful for his contributions and strive to carry his vision forward.”
Aditya Agarwal
Director, Emami Group
“We have lost our ‘unmol ratan’, a rare gem of a human being, one of the greatest philanthropists and the titan of Indian industry. It is an irreparable and profound loss to India. Mr. Ratan Tata, a symbol of integrity, empathy, and humility was highly respected for his commitment, innovation and business acumen and was a source of inspiration to all. His contribution to the Indian industry is unparalleled. His empathetic support and help to his associates and people around him are well known and well respected. Our deepest condolences to his family and the members of the Tata Group.”
Arun Shukla
President and Director, JK Lakshmi Cement
“The loss of Mr. Ratan Tata is an irreplaceable void for India. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on our nation’s business landscape. As a pioneer of innovation and corporate social responsibility, his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. I was deeply privileged to have known him and to have been inspired by his work. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”
