“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together,” is a quote attributed to Ratan Tata. And looking at his life’s work, it looks like it was also a personal motto. Ratan Naval Tata, the man who brought a taste of luxury to the middle-class Indian, was a role model to many businessmen and, in someways, the definition of philanthropy. Althought Tata Sons mourns its greatest visionary, mentor, and Chairman-Emeritus, the nation also feels a sentiment of loss today. Paying respects to the veteran industrialist, innovator, and visionary leader, are stalwarts from every sector. Biding farewell to the man on a mission one last time.
“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 thing about 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.” - Piyush Pandey, Veteran Ad-Man, ex-Ogilvy
“For many of us, Ratan Tata feels like more than a business leader and the loss 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.” - Prasoon Joshi, CEO & CCO, McCann Worldgroup India and Chairman of McCann Asia Pacific
“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 with clean lines 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 more humble you should be, and the more humble 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.” - Sam Balsara, Chairman, Madison World
“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.” - B. Thiagarajan, Managing Director, Blue Star
“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* 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, here 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.” - Prashant Peres, Managing Director of Kellanova South Asia
"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." - Harsha Razdan, Group CEO, Dentsu
"Ratan Tata Unbound. The last of a generation. An icon, a tycoon, a nation builder, a compassionate and giving man, a perpetual learner, a dog lover, truly a sterling human being. Sadly, they don’t make men like him any more. My words feel inadequate to describe a man of such stature. He grasped the skies and remained rooted. He aged like fine wine and till his last days stayed ever so graceful and dignified.
Ratan was his name. Shine on you wondrous diamond.
Respect. Deep respect.
Rest in Peace, Sir." - Sanjay Trehan, Digital & New Media Advisor
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
