 "Ratan Tata during the foundation stone laying ceremony of a cancer care hospital in Guwahati, June 18, 2018. File Image/AP")
Thousands of people in Mumbai paid their last respects to Ratan Tata, one of India’s most influential business leaders, on Thursday. The veteran industrialist and former chairman of Tata Group died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86.
A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Ratan Tata was kept under intensive care since Monday.
The news of his death was first shared by a senior Mumbai police official, followed by Tata Group chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, who described Tata as “a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.”
Ratan Tata gained experience across various Tata Group companies before being appointed director-in-charge of National Radio and Electronics Co. in 1971. A decade later, he became chairman of Tata Industries, and in 1991, succeeded his uncle, JRD Tata, as chairman of the Tata Group, who had led the conglomerate for over 50 years.
Under his leadership, Tata Group underwent massive expansion, acquiring major British companies like steelmaker Corus and luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover. Today, its two-and-a-half dozen listed firms span diverse industries, producing everything from coffee and cars to salt and software, steel and power, operating airlines, and launching India’s first super app.
Recently, the conglomerate ventured into chip manufacturing and is planning to set up an iPhone assembly plant. It ended the last fiscal year with USD 165 billion in revenue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Tata as a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “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 unwavering commitment to making our society better.”
As the world mourns the passing of the business tycoon, here are some intriguing facts about Ratan Tata: