Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Group, dies

By Matters India Reporter

Mumbai, Oct 10, 2024: Ratan Tata, an industrialist, philanthropist and former chairman of Tata Sons, one of India’s biggest conglomerates, died October 9. He was 86.

Earlier in the day, he was admitted to Mumbai Hospital in intensive care. His death was confirmed by the Tata Group in a statement.

A day before his death, Tata took to social media to squash the rumors about his health, clarifying that he was undergoing routine medical evaluations due to his age.

Ratan Naval Tata was born on December 28, 1937, to Soonoo and Naval Tata in Bombay.

He was a chairman of the Tata Group from 1990 to 2012, and interim chairman from October 2016 through February 2017. He continued to head its charitable trusts. In 2008, he received the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in India, after receiving the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in 2000.

In 1991, Ratan Tata took the charge of the Tata group, taking up the mantle from his predecessor JRD Tata, and led the conglomerate until December 2012. Since then, he has been the chairman emeritus of the nearly US$130-billion salt-to-software group.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those mourning Tata’s death.

“Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better,” the prime minister said on X.

Anand Mahindra, an industrialist, said that he was unable to accept Tata’s absence.

“India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable,” Mahindra wrote on X.

He urged people to continue to emulate the example of Tata, “a businessman for whom financial wealth and success was most useful when it was put to the service of the global community.”

In a heartfelt statement, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, 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.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said India lost an “invaluable son.” He said that Tata was a philanthropist par excellence whose commitment to India’s inclusive growth and development remained paramount. Tata was an inspiration and icon for many people and synonymous with ethical leadership and integrity, Kharge added.