Ratan Tata, a titan of Indian industry, takes his final bow

PM Modi calls him a visionary business leader, compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being; condolences pour in

Tata Group’s chairman emeritus and veteran industrialist Ratan Tata passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai late on Wednesday evening. He was 86.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Ratan,” his family said in a statement.

“We his brothers, sisters and family take solace and comfort in outpouring of love and respect from all who admired him. While he is no longer with us in person, his legacy of humility, generosity and purpose will continue to inspire future generations,” the family said.

Mr. Tata is survived by his younger brothers Jimmy Tata and Noel Tata and stepmother Simone Tata.

Ratan Tata death: Condolences pour in for national icon

In a statement Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said, “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.”

“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. 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 stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass,” he said.

He said Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society had touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives left a deep-rooted mark that would benefit generations to come.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to Mr. Tata, describing him as a visionary business leader, compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.

“One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan Tata Ji was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back. He was at the forefront of championing causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, animal welfare to name a few,” he said on X.

Mr. Modi said Tata provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses, Tata Group, and at the same time his contribution went far beyond the boardroom.

The Congress condoled the death, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi saying Mr. Tata was a man with a vision who had left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed sadness over Mr. Tata’s death, saying that in his passing “we have lost an invaluable son of India”.

Ratan Naval Tata (1937-2024)

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RNT as he was called in the Tata Group was its chairman from 1990 to 2012, when he handed over the baton to Cyrus Mistry. Following Mr. Mistry’s ouster in 2016, he again assumed the position of interim chairman. He handed over the reigns to Mr. Chandrasekaran who was appointed Tata Sons chairman in February 2017.

Though Mr. Tata had retired he had a firm grip on the group as well as Tata Trusts, which owns over 67% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Group.

It was J.R.D. Tata who identified his talent and chose him as his successor in 1990. In the initial years Mr. Tata had to face steep resistance from several satraps who had operational control over large companies. Mr. Tata eased them out by the mid-1990s.

Then he focused on putting the house in order and subsequently went global with the acquisition of Tetley Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel.

It was he who made the Tata an international company and enhanced the stature of the group.

He was polite to talk but tough while dealing with issues and his opponents.

Besides the tallest industrialist India ever had, he was a philanthropist.

Post-retirement he nurtured dozens of start-up and invested in them through his company RNT Associates.

“It is a very sad day for India and India Inc. Ratan Tata’s passing away is a big loss, not just to the Tata Group, but to every Indian. At a personal level, the passing of Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief as I lost a dear friend. Each of my numerous interactions with him left me inspired and energised and enhanced my respect for the nobility of his character and the fine human values he embodied,” Reliance Industries Limited CMD Mukesh Ambani in a statement. A visionary business leader, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Mr. Tata calling him a visionary business leader, compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.

Published - October 10, 2024 12:09 am IST