 "Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata (C) arrives in his office after attending a meeting at the company's head office in Mumbai, India on October 25, 2016. Reuters")
On 9 October 2025, India observes the first death anniversary of Ratan Naval Tata—an industrialist, philanthropist and visionary who redefined Indian enterprise.
His tenure at the helm of the Tata Group transformed it from a largely domestic conglomerate into a global powerhouse. Each of his landmark decisions carried a blend of strategic foresight, social conscience and moral conviction that continues to shape Indian industry today.
1. Tetley: The consumer goods first step abroad
Ratan Tata’s global vision found early expression in 2000 when Tata Tea acquired Tetley, the renowned British tea brand, for £271 million.
It was one of the first major foreign acquisitions by an Indian company, signalling India’s readiness to compete on the world stage. The Tetley deal was about more than tea—it was about brand, culture and market access.
Tata Tea, a relatively smaller company, absorbed Tetley seamlessly, learning how to manage international operations while retaining the acquired firm’s heritage. This success became a template for future Tata global ventures and positioned India as a serious player in the global consumer goods arena.
2. Corus: Heavy bets, heavy steel
In 2007, Tata Steel’s $11–12 billion acquisition of Corus Group, a British-Dutch steelmaker, marked one of the boldest business moves in Indian history.
It multiplied Tata Steel’s capacity severalfold and catapulted it into the ranks of the world’s top producers. The deal also came with its share of challenges: high debt, exposure to European market cycles and a looming global financial crisis.
While Corus later strained Tata Steel’s balance sheet, it brought advanced technology, design capabilities and a global footprint that proved invaluable. The Corus acquisition encapsulated Ratan Tata’s philosophy—thinking big, even if it meant walking into uncertainty.
3. Jaguar Land Rover: Prestige, turnaround and faith
The 2008 acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) from Ford for $2.3 billion remains one of Ratan Tata’s most celebrated decisions.
At the time, critics questioned the wisdom of an Indian automaker owning two struggling British luxury car brands. Yet Tata saw potential where others saw decline.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHe trusted the brands’ intrinsic value and the engineering prowess within them. Within years, JLR rebounded dramatically with new models, profitability and a renewed global identity.
For Tata Motors, the acquisition was transformative, elevating it from a commercial vehicle manufacturer to a global auto powerhouse. Tata’s unwavering belief in talent and legacy turned scepticism into triumph.
4. Tata Nano: Democratising mobility, risking innovation
While his global acquisitions made headlines abroad, the Tata Nano reflected Ratan Tata’s heart for India.
Announced in 2008 as the world’s most affordable car, priced initially around Rs1 lakh, the Nano was designed to give middle-class families a safe, dignified alternative to two-wheelers.
It was an audacious engineering challenge—cost innovation on a scale never attempted before. However, branding missteps, safety concerns and cost pressures meant that the Nano never achieved its commercial ambitions.
Yet its significance endures. The project symbolised Ratan Tata’s belief that capitalism could serve social good—that innovation should be inclusive, not exclusive.
5. Reclaiming Air India: A return to roots
In 2021, the Tata Group reclaimed Air India, the airline founded by JRD Tata and nationalised in 1953.
The Rs18,000-crore acquisition was more than a business decision—it was an emotional homecoming.
Air India had become a burdened, loss-making entity, but Tata viewed its revival as a matter of legacy and national pride.
Under the Tatas, a massive transformation programme, Vihaan.AI, was launched to modernise operations, refurbish fleets and restore service standards. For Ratan Tata, reclaiming Air India was both a nod to the past and a statement of renewed ambition—to make Indian aviation world-class once again.
6. Technology and the future: The TCS era
Tata understood early that the future belonged to technology and services.
He nurtured Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) into a global IT powerhouse, leading its expansion into international markets and steering it to a historic public listing.
Today, TCS is one of India’s most valuable companies, driving digital transformation worldwide.
Under his vision, the Tata Group also entered emerging sectors like telecommunications (Tata Play), e-commerce (Tata Cliq) and renewable energy.
These moves reflected his conviction that innovation and technology would define the Tata Group’s future as much as its legacy industries.
7. Values as foundation: Ethics, risk and social purpose
What truly defined Ratan Tata was not merely what he built, but how he built it.
Integrity, humility and empathy were central to his leadership.
His decisions balanced courage with conscience—whether taking bold risks like JLR or championing initiatives through Tata Trusts that uplifted communities.
Under his stewardship, the Tata name became synonymous with trust, reliability and service beyond profit.
A legacy beyond commerce
One year after his passing, Ratan Tata’s imprint is still visible in every corner of Indian business and society. His ventures—some triumphant, others turbulent—redefined the possibilities for Indian enterprise. The Tata Group remains a model of ethical capitalism, innovation and nation-building. His story is not just of corporate conquest, but of human dignity, compassion and courage in leadership.
As India remembers him on this solemn anniversary, Ratan Tata’s life reminds us that business, when led with purpose and integrity, can be one of the greatest forces for good.
His legacy endures not only in towering buildings and global brands but in the values he lived by—values that continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, dreamers and citizens alike.