Ratan Tata, Visionary Behind India’s Tata Group Global Success, Passes Away

Tata died at the age of 86, following intensive medical care at a Mumbai hospital, according to sources familiar with his health, Reuters reports.

“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 company stated.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on his X account, saying, ” Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. 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 an unwavering commitment to making our society better.”

After earning a degree in architecture from Cornell University, Tata returned to India in 1962 to join the company founded by his great-grandfather.

He contributed to various Tata firms, including Telco, now Tata Motors, and Tata Steel, making a significant impact at the National Radio & Electronics Company by improving market share and erasing losses.

In 1991, Ratan Tata assumed leadership of the conglomerate when his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, retired.

This transition coincided with India’s economic reforms that opened the country to global markets, marking a period of rapid growth.

He founded Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004, further solidifying the group’s position in the technology sector.

Under his leadership, the Tata Group acquired the British tea company Tetley in 2000 for $432 million, and in 2007, it purchased Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus for $13 billion, which was the largest acquisition of a foreign firm by an Indian company at that time.

Additionally, Tata Motors acquired British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford in 2008 for $2.3 billion.

Ratan Tata’s vision also included developing the Indica, the first car designed and built in India, and the Nano, which was promoted as the world’s cheapest car. While the Indica was commercially successful, the Nano struggled with safety concerns and marketing missteps, leading to its discontinuation a decade after its launch.

After stepping down from the Tata Group, Ratan Tata became a prominent investor in Indian startups, supporting companies like Paytm, Ola Electric, and Urban Company. Among his numerous accolades, he received the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 for his exceptional service in trade and industry.