Ratan Naval Tata : 28 December 1937 – 9 October 2024
Ratan Naval Tata, the former chairman of Tata Group who became a symbol of India’s economic resurgence in the 21st century, passed away at a Mumbai hospital at the age of 86.
- Ratan Naval Tata was a respected Indian businessman and former chairman of Tata Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates.
- He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
- He graduated in architecture from Cornell University before returning to India in 1962 to join the Tata Group, founded by his great-grandfather, Jamsetji Tata.
- He was a licensed pilot, known for his quiet demeanour, relatively modest lifestyle and philanthropic initiatives.
- Ratan Tata remained a visionary leader and a compassionate figure, earning widespread respect in both business and social circles.
- Ratan Tata played a key role in transforming Tata Group into a global powerhouse, with ventures spanning industries such as steel, automobiles, software, and telecommunications.
- Early in his career, he worked with several Tata companies, including Tata Motors (formerly Telco) and Tata Steel, and revitalised the National Radio & Electronics Company.
- In 1991, he succeeded J.R.D. Tata as chairman of Tata Group.
- He implemented significant organizational reforms such as enforcing retirement ages and promoting young talent to leadership roles.
- Tata set up Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) public in 2004, capitalising on the IT boom.
