Ratan Tata was unquestionably India’s most respected businessman, even though by the standards of India’s wealthiest billionaires he was relatively poor. But by virtue of his position as chairperson of the Sir Dorab Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which own 66 per cent of Tata Sons, the holding company for India’s largest and most prestigious business house, he was more powerful than any other Indian businessman.
Despite perforce often being in the spotlight, the reclusive Parsi bachelor businessman was very much a loner and hard to fathom. His former executive assistant R Venkataraman, when asked about his proximity to his former boss in an unguarded moment, remarked that those closest to Ratan were not people but his pet dogs and all strays. In an interview with me, Tata did not entirely refute this characterisation confessing, “I am not very sociable but I am not anti-social”.
Ratan’s character was shaped to an extent by a lonely and strict childhood and a feeling of rejection. His father Naval was a disciplinarian. Ratan told me, “It was not that my brother Jimmy and I got caned, but he expected a certain decorum. We were never allowed to flaunt our wealth.’’ Ratan’s grandmother Lady Navajbai Tata, widow of Sir Jamsetji Tata’s younger son, was his main anchor when he was young. His mother Sooni left Ratan when he was only 10 and his father later remarried and had a second family. Navajbai ingrained in her grandson the unique industrial and philanthropic legacy of the Tata group, particularly the extraordinary history of the far-sighted founder Sir Jamsetji, who besides several other pioneering ventures, envisaged India’s first steel mill, first hydroelectric plant and the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
It was made clear to Ratan by his grandmother from a very early age that he had large shoes to fill. What is not known to many is that Ratan and his father Naval were not actually descended from the Tata founder. Neither of Jamseji’s two sons had children and after Ratanji’s death in 1918, his widow Navajbai adopted an orphan boy, Naval, from the J N Petit Parsi Orphanage in Parel, Mumbai.
It was Navajbai who insisted that Ratan return to India from the US after graduating from Cornell University in architecture and engineering Though his grandmother had full faith in Ratan, the top men at that time in the group, including the chairperson and distant relative JRD Tata, did not view him as future heir to the empire. If anything, when Ratan joined the group, the knives were out. He was posted in Jamshedpur, and moved from one department to another without any designation or clear-cut duties. “I thought they were testing me to see if I would throw in the towel,” he admitted.
JRD’s initial hostility towards Ratan was perhaps connected with the fact that he never got on with Naval and Ratan confesses he never dreamed at that stage of being his successor. Ratan admitted that he only got close to JRD in the older man’s last six years at Tata when the JRD began to revise his opinion about Ratan after the group’s fallout with Russi Mody. At 86, the legendary JRD stepped down as chairperson and Ratan at 51 was appointed in his place in 1991.
One of Ratan’s first acts as chairperson was to bring down the three satraps in the Tata empire, Russi Modi of the Steel division, Ajit Kerkar heading the Taj hotel chain and Darbari Seth in Tata Chemicals. The three ruled without permitting any interference from the Tata head office, Bombay House. Gradually from a shy, underconfident youth, whose credentials as a business executive were uninspiring, Ratan blossomed into a larger-than-life chairperson of the Tata group. He gave his group new visibility and prominence through a series of bold gambles. In 2000, he purchased the British Tetley; in 2007 he announced his intention to take over Europe’s second-largest steel manufacturer the hugely loss-making Corus; in 1998, Ratan, who had once produced the first indigenously built car, the Nano, acquired the luxury car brands, Jaguar and Land Rover. Some financial analysts have questioned Ratan’s business acumen in costly loss-making foreign acquisitions. A major reason for the Tata group to retain its pre-eminent position was the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which often bailed out Tata Sons and buffeted its losses. TCS contributed a major share of the group’s net profits for many years.
Jamsetji, the group’s founder, came from a pious Parsi priestly family in Navsari, Gujarat and set the benchmark for the family’s extraordinarily philanthropic spirit at the start of the 20th century. Apart from the Indian Institute of Science, institutions funded by the Tata trusts include the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and the National Centre for Performing Arts. Jamsetji also set the tone for the group’s ethical business practices. The group’s leadership was for generations controlled by members of the tiny minority community, the Parsis, who pride themselves on their uprightness in doing business. During the era of the licence permit raj in the 1960s, JRD made clear that the Tata group was unwilling to pay politicians under the table even if it meant they would not be able to expand the capacity of their industries. For a while, the Tata group lost its first place to the Birla companies, but with changes in government policies, it soon recovered. Bombay House, the group’s headquarters, has the Zoroastrian philosophy, “Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds’’, inscribed as a reminder to all employees.
Ratan epitomised this Tata tradition, in both business and his personal life. His lifestyle was modest compared to India’s new billionaires. He had almost no security outside his home. His business exploits earned Ratan such adulatory titles as “India’s best brand ambassador” and “A model of corporate responsibility”. The two major Tata trusts are among the world’s largest philanthropic enterprises.
Despite an occasional whiff of scandal – such as leaked telephone taps suggesting that Tata executives were colluding with ULFA militants to secure their tea estates in Assam or the publishing of the Niira Radia tapes – nothing fundamentally dented Ratan’s pristine image. The only scandal which perhaps temporarily dimmed Ratan’s halo was his sacking of the chairperson of the group, the late Cyrus Mistry, in 2016. The calculated manoeuvres left the business world and the Parsi community shell-shocked. This was particularly because Mistry’s rebuttal letter before the National Company Law Tribunal accused Ratan of violating rules concerning insider information and handing out favourable deals to friends and a lack of transparency in corporate governance. Ratan, however, was vindicated in 2021 when the Supreme Court backed him on all issues raised by the Mistrys concerning the control of the group. Ratan also had the last laugh over sceptics questioning his business acumen. His choice of Natarajan Chandrasekaran to replace Mistry has paid dividends to the group.
Industrialist Ratan Tata’s body was on Thursday (October 10, 2024) morning taken from his house in a hearse, decked with white flowers, to the NCPA in south Mumbai where it would be kept for people to pay their last respects.
Ratan Tata died at a Mumbai hospital late on Wednesday (October 9, 2024). The chairman emeritus of the Tata group was 86.
Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Monday (October 7, 2024) owing to age-related issues, and to control his blood pressure.
Tributes poured in from across the country, following Tata’s death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death, calling him a “visionary business leader, compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being”.
In a statement, the Congress said it “is deeply saddened by the passing of Padma Vibhushan Shri Ratan Tata, a titan of Indian industry and a philanthropist who shaped India’s corporate landscape.”
16:12 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: ‘Have joined millions of Indians to grieve the sad demise of Ratan Tata Ji,’ says Amit Shah
16:08 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Mortal remains of Industrialist Ratan Tata being taken for last rites from NCPA lawns
The last rites will be held at Worli crematorium in Mumbai.
16:00 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Ratan Tata’s love for dogs transcended his persona, strays welcomed in Tata offices: Raj Thackeray
Raj Thackeray, the president of MNS paid his tributes to the late industrialist at NCPA Lawns, Mumbai.
Earlier, he reminisced about a shared passion that he and business tycoon Ratan Tata had in common – their affection for dogs. He mentioned that stray canines were always welcomed at all Tata properties, whether it was the iconic Taj Mahal hotel or the company’s headquarters.
In a post on X, Thackeray said Tata was to be felicitated at the Buckingham Palace in the UK for his unmatched philanthropy. However, at the very last moment, his pet dog took ill. Tata immediately called up the then Prince Charles and conveyed his regrets as he couldn’t leave his ailing dog alone.
This highlights what a remarkable human being he was, Thackeray said.
“Another aspect of Ratan Tata that is very heartwarming and that resonates with me is his love for dogs. Stray dogs are looked after and welcomed in all his premises, be it the Taj Mahal hotel or his group headquarters,” he said.
15:55 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao pays tribute to Ratan Tata
Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao says, “One of our most towering personalities, who is not only an established name in the industry but also philanthropy, Ratan Tata took Tata’s name to the world and built it into an MNC. Under his leadership, Tata grew manifold. Along with that, his humility and nature is an inspiration to everyone, especially businessmen… His demise is a big loss.”
15:48 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: CMD Godfrey Phillips India Dr Bina Modi mourns loss of Ratan Tata
“Today, the entire nation is grieving the loss of a visionary leader. Mr. Ratan Tata was not only a man of excellence, but also of immense integrity, humility and grace. His contributions have shaped the Indian business ecosystem and touched lives of many. RNT’s legacy will continue to inspire generations for years to come…” said Dr Bina Modi- CMD Godfrey Phillips India Ltd.
15:45 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu interacts with Union Minister Piyush Goyal after paying last respects to Ratan Tata at NCPA Lawns in Mumbai.
Paying respects to Ratan Tata, Chandrababu Naidu had said, “He always used to talk about the nation. He has given India recognition globally. As an industrialist, he had a great vision…When I requested him to start a cancer hospital in Tirupati, he did it…We have lost a great statesman. But his thoughts, ideology will remain forever.”
15:41 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Gujarat government announces one day mourning in respect of Ratan Tata
“The national flag will be flown at half mast and no cultural or entertainment programme of the govt will be held today,” said the government
15:39 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Tata Steel Plant worker pays respects to Ratan Tata
We are very sad… he (Ratan Tata) was like a God to us. The way inflation is rising nowadays… when he came here in 2012-14, he said that a worker’s minimum salary should be over Rs 10,000. It was his thinking. We are sad today… it is like losing a family member. Whenever he came to Jamshedpur, he definitely used to talk about us… give instructions to the management,” said a worker of Tata Steel Plant,
15:37 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde recalls Ratan Tata’s ‘remarkable’ achievements
“It is a great loss for the country, Maharashtra specifically, and his dedication, devotion to the entire country is remarkable. From Tat Cancer Institute to Tata Housing to Tata Nano, everything we use in day-to-day life has come from Tata. He was a true nationalist… Maharashtra government has asked the Centre to felicitate him with Bharat Ratna and I think Centre will think positively on it,” said Shrikant Shinde.
15:33 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Aamir Khan, ex-wife Kiran Rao pay their respects to Ratan Tata
Actor Aamir Khan and Director-Screenwriter Kiran Rao paid last tributes to Ratan Tata in Mumbai.
“It is a sad day for the country. The contribution of Ratan Tata to the country is priceless. We will all miss him a lot,” said Aamir. Kiran Rao said, “It is a sad day today. He was a very good person. It is really sad that he is no more. He has done a lot for the country.”
15:23 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: G Kishan Reddy remembers Ratan Tata
‘Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said, “It is very unfortunate for India that the great leader of the industrial revolution, Ratan Tata has passed away. Ratan ji and his family have contributed a lot to the freedom movement of the country in setting up big industries in the country and in giving employment to lakhs of people. Thousands of people have moved forward with his inspiration. Ratan Tata ji is not amongst us today…Ratan Tata has given employment to the youth, he has worked in increasing the economy of the country, in increasing the infrastructure of the country…”
15:12 (IST) Oct 10
Actor Amitabh Bachchan condoles the demise of Industrialist Ratan Tata
15:11 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu pays last tributes to Ratan Tata in Mumbai.
15:02 (IST) Oct 10
Rata Tata News: Actor Rajinikanth on Tata’s demise
14:52 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: ‘He was a man ahead of his time,’ says S Jaishankar
On the demise of Ratan Tata, EAM S Jaishankar said, “I first met him when I was a kind of middle level in the government. At that time, we started the CEO forum with the United States. He was a natural choice as a person who was to lead it. So those years we used to work together quite closely, travel together to the US…He was really a remarkable person. I think if you look at the outpouring today of feeling, of affection, of respect, I can’t remember anybody, in the world of industry who’s evoked this kind of emotion among people across a very wide cross section. I mean, it is truly seen as a national loss. He was a man ahead of his time. He took the Tata group abroad in a way.”
14:45 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Last respects to late industrialist
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde along with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis pay last tributes to Ratan Tata in Mumbai.
14:33 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: Union home minister Amit Shah pays last tributes to Ratan Tata in Mumbai
14:28 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: NC chief Farooq Abdullah on Ratan Tata’s demise
“He (Ratan Tata) not only kept the firm (Tata) of India but established it in the entire world… Today, we lost him but we are with the people of the company. It’s a big loss that can’t be expressed in words. We are proud that he took India’s name to the entire world.”
14:07 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata News: ‘End of an era!’ Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat posts
“End of an era! Deeply saddened to know that Shri Ratan Tata ji is no more with us. A visionary businessman and philanthropist who left an indelible mark on India’s corporate landscape, his legacy of ethics, empathy & compassion will forever inspire. My heartfelt condolences to the entire Tata group family and all those whose lives he touched with his generosity and kindness. Om Shanti,” posted Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
13:58 (IST) Oct 10
Ratan Tata was a rare personality. I pray that his family and the people of Tata empire find the strength to deal with this loss.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot
13:54 (IST) Oct 10
‘Icon of not only industry but humanity…’ Karnataka minister Parameshwara pays tribute to Ratan Tata
Karnataka minister G Parameshwara on Thursday paid a heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata, hailing him as a pioneer who transformed India’s industry landscape and built a strong foundation for Indian industries.
Parameshwara also praised Tata’s visionary leadership, which earned India tremendous recognition globally.
“I pay my respect and condolences to Ratan Tata, who has pioneered the industry landscape in the country and built a strong foundation for Indian industries. We earned a tremendous amount of name because of him in the entire world,” he said.
“The country misses him because he was an icon of not only industry but he was an icon of humanity. His other activities like providing donations and support to children and people who are needy, all those things show us that he was the greatest human being. So we miss him,” the Karnataka minister added.
