By love-89.com In an emotional farewell, the Indian business community is coming to terms with the loss of Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Group, revered as “a truly uncommon leader.” Tata transformed the company into a global powerhouse during his more than two-decade tenure. He passed away at the age of 86 after being in intensive care at a Mumbai hospital, according to reports from Reuters.
Tata was renowned for his ambitious acquisitions, including the $432 million purchase of British tea giant Tetley in 2000 and the landmark $13 billion acquisition of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007—the largest takeover of a foreign company by an Indian firm at that time. His leadership also brought significant attention to Tata Motors, particularly through its acquisition of the iconic British car brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, from Ford Motor Co.
In an official statement, the Tata Group expressed deep sorrow over his passing: “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.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, calling Tata “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being.”
Current chairman of Tata Sons, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, extended condolences on behalf of the entire Tata family, stating, “His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”
After earning a degree in architecture from Cornell University, Ratan Tata returned to India in 1962 to take part in the family business founded nearly a century earlier by his great-grandfather. In a pivotal leadership transition three decades later, he took over from his uncle, JRD Tata, ushering in a new era focused on global expansion and growth. Tata implemented significant changes within the organization, including the introduction of retirement ages and the promotion of younger talent to key roles.
Among his many achievements, Tata spearheaded the development of the Indica, India’s first domestically designed and built car, and contributed to the creation of the Nano, which was celebrated as the world’s most affordable car. While the Indica achieved commercial success, the Nano faced challenges that ultimately led to its discontinuation due to safety concerns and marketing missteps, presenting a bittersweet chapter in Tata’s vision of making cars accessible to all Indians.
Outside of his business accomplishments, Ratan Tata was also an avid animal lover and a licensed pilot. In a 2021 interview, he shared his deep affection for dogs, saying, “My love for dogs as pets is ever strong and will continue for as long as I live.” He articulated the profound sadness that accompanied the loss of each pet but recognized a recurring urge to adopt another dog: “There is an indescribable sadness every time one of my pets passes away… yet, two or three years down the road, my home becomes too empty and too quiet for me to live without them.”
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to society and industry, Tata was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, in 2008.