Blitz Bureau
DEEPLY rooted in the ethos of putting ‘India and Indians first’, Ratan Tata was not only one of towering business leader of the country but a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. The Tata Group Chairman Emeritus died in Mumbai on October 9 at the age of 86. He led the Tata Group – known as a ‘salt-to-software’ conglomerate of more than 100 companies, employing some 660,000 people – for more than two decades.
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under him expanded globally acquiring international companies, including Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel. A high point came in 2000, when Tata bought Tetley and became the world’s second-largest tea company.
He was the brain behind the affordable and safe poor man’s four- wheeler car Nano, also called ‘Lakhtakia’ (Rs 1-lakh car). Born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, Ratan Tata was the greatgrandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 1962 and began his career in the family business shortly after.
He took over as Chairman in 1991 and led the Tata Group till 2012. In October 2016, he returned to Tata Sons as interim Chairman for a few months after the previous incumbent Cyrus Mistry was ousted.
Ratan Tata, who remained a bachelor, is survived by a brother Jimmy Tata, and two half-sisters from his mother’s side. He also has a halfbrother, Noel Tata.
