Ratan Tata no more: Industry heads remember the visionary leader

Ratan Tata, former Chairman of Tata Group, passed away on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86.

Tata, renowned for his transformative leadership, steered the Tata Group to new heights with his commitment to excellence, innovation, and ethical business practices.

Under his guidance, Tata Group not only expanded its global footprint but also upheld its moral compass, deeply influencing the corporate and philanthropic landscape.

An official media statement from the Group mentioned, “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.”

The statement, undersigned by N Chandrasekaran, added, “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. Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come.”

“On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones.

His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed,” said Chandrasekaran.

A few days back, Tata had also posted about him undergoing regular medical checks. He said on X, “I am aware of recent rumors circulating regarding my health and want to assure everyone that these claims are unfounded. I am currently undergoing medical check-ups due to my age and related medical conditions. There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits and request that the public and media respect refrain from spreading misinformation,” the post added.

From 1991 until his retirement in 2012, Tata served as Chairman of Tata Sons, the company his great-grandfather had founded more than a century earlier. The seasoned businessman increased the group's presence in the telecom sector during his tenure by founding Tata Teleservices in 1996.

In 2004, he also made Tata Consultancy Services publicly traded, which was a big step forward for the IT behemoth. He was instrumental in expanding its footprint globally through landmark acquisitions, including Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus Steel. Under his leadership, Tata Group became one of the most respected names in the global corporate landscape.

Beyond business, Tata was widely revered for his humility, integrity, and commitment to ethical business practices. He was a recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2008), India’s third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively.

Industry leaders took to social media to pay their tributes.

Mukesh Ambani said:

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.

Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and a philanthropist, who always strove for society's greater good.

With the demise of Mr Ratan Tata, India has lost one of her most illustrious and kind-hearted sons. Mr Tata took India to the world and brought the best of the world to Bharat. He institutionalised the House of Tata and made it an international enterprise growing the Tata group over 70 times since the time he took over as Chairman in 1991.

Remembering Ratan Tata, Raj Nayak shared:

Sad to wake up to the news of Mr. Ratan Tata’s passing. He wasn’t just another business leader; he was truly one of a kind—kind, humble, and always leading with purpose. He touched so many lives in such a profound way.

I still remember the first time I met him, over two decades ago. We were on a flight to Singapore, and my colleague Shivnath Thukral introduced us. I was sitting across the aisle from him, and you can imagine my nerves—it’s Ratan Tata! But what really struck me wasn’t just who he was, but how incredibly down-to-earth he seemed. I still recall, after we landed at Changi International Airport, watching him stand at the baggage claim, waiting for his bag like everyone else. No entourage, no assistants hovering—just him, minding his own business. It was such a quiet, unassuming moment, and I couldn’t help but admire how grounded he was. We chatted again briefly, and he casually mentioned he was there for a Temasek board meeting, like it was just another day at work. That moment stuck with me, seeing how effortlessly he blended into the crowd despite his stature.

Another memory that stands out was during the first NDTV Indian of the Year awards. Mr. Tata was supposed to receive an award from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself. It was a huge event, with the who’s who of politics, business, and entertainment in attendance—people like Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, LK Advani, Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, and top bureaucrats. It was the event. But Mr. Tata wrote to us, apologizing because he had made a commitment over a year ago to attend the IIT Chennai convocation on the same day. In true Ratan Tata fashion, he didn’t want to break his promise.

He even tried to figure out the logistics—asking us what time our event would end, trying to see if he could fly from Chennai to Delhi right after the convocation. Unfortunately, the timing just didn’t work out. So, he humbly requested if his sister could accept the award on his behalf. Of course, we said yes. That night, he was the only awardee not present in person, yet when Manmohan Singh was giving his award to his sister, he spent the most time talking about Mr. Tata, even calling him a friend. It showed just how respected and admired he was.

The interesting part of the evening was when his sister arrived. None of us had ever met or seen her before, so we had no idea who to look for. She quietly slipped into a seat in the fourth or fifth row, without making any fuss. That was the simplicity of the Tata family—no show, no drama.

Mr. Tata’s values were rare, and his loss touches all of us. His love for dogs, of course, was legendary. But more than anything, it’s the way he made people feel—valued, respected, and seen—that I will always remember.

You will be deeply missed, Sir.

Prasoon Joshi:

Ratan Tata was a guiding force behind India’s industrial growth, always driven by a deep conscience. His legacy goes beyond building a business empire—he aimed to create a compassionate and humane society. India owes him immense gratitude for his relentless dedication to its progress. Shri Ratan Tata truly embodied compassion in action and leaves behind a legacy in motion.