“It is with a deep sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly extraordinary leader whose immeasurable contributions shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” Tata said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to Dad’s death. In a post on X, he called him “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.” “He has provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses,” he wrote.
Ratan Tata created an Indian colossus
Ratan Tata rose to global fame with a series of high-profile international deals. In 2008, he oversaw Tata Motors’ purchase of the British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.
Dad was born in 1937 and graduated from Cornell University, where he studied architecture and construction engineering. He returned to India in 1962 and joined the family business that had been founded by his great-grandfather in 1868. From these humble beginnings, Tata was responsible for India’s first steel factory, first luxury hotel and first domestic airline.
Tata took over as president in 1991, the same year India began major economic reforms, including devaluing the rupee, to open its economy to the world. As India began to move more and more outward, so did Tata.
Tata retired as group chairman in 2012 and was chairman emeritus of Tata Sons holding company before his death. Since retiring from his daily duties, the businessman has been involved in improving the fate of many stray animals in India.
A Fond Farewell to Ratan Tata: A Life in Legacy
“It is with a deep sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly extraordinary leader whose immeasurable contributions shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” said Tata, presumably in a heartfelt penmanship that would make Shakespeare rise from his grave for a standing ovation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly known as Twitter, because we all need a name change every now and then) to express his sorrow over Tata’s passing. Dubbed as “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being,” it sounds like Modi is aiming for a few points in the “who knew him best” game at the next cabinet meeting. “He has provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses,” he wrote. But while he praised Tata’s leadership, we can only wonder if Modi ever feared Tata would outshine him in the leadership department—after all, “leadership” could be the word of the day.
Ratan Tata Created an Indian Colossus
Ratan Tata became a name that stayed on the lips of business moguls and car enthusiasts alike. Who can forget the moment in 2008 when he led Tata Motors to purchase the British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford? That deal was so monumental that it caused more than a few raised eyebrows—and perhaps led to the Ford executives eyeing the ‘Help Wanted’ ads at the nearest job centre.
Born in 1937, Tata graduated from Cornell University where he dabbled in architecture and construction engineering. He’s like that overachiever in class who not only completes their homework but also builds a house in the process! Returning to India in 1962, he joined the family business that his great-grandfather started back in 1868—the kind of heritage that makes you want to pull out a family tree and do a dramatic reading.
During his tenure, Tata was responsible for much more than corporate numbers and power suits: under his leadership, India saw its first steel factory, its first luxury hotel, and its first domestic airline. And let’s be honest, at that time a domestic airline was somewhat akin to finding a unicorn—magical and majestic!
Tata became president in 1991, just as India was hitting the ‘reset’ button on its economy thanks to some bold reforms. Coincidence? I think not! As the rupee was devalued and the nation opened its doors to the world, Tata took that as a cue to take the Tata Group global.
He officially waved goodbye to the role of group chairman in 2012 and stepped into the comforting title of “chairman emeritus” before his death. Since then, he dedicated considerable time to rescuing stray animals in India—a passing hero with a heart big enough to house a stray puppy, no less!
Ratan Tata, a man who taught us that it’s not just business, but also compassion that defines true leadership. As we reflect on his life, let’s carry forward not just the massive corporate legacy he leaves behind, but also the kindness and vision he embraced. After all, life is too short for anything less, except perhaps for that last piece of cake in the fridge—you don’t give that up, ever.
Rest in peace, Mr. Tata. Your journey was extraordinary, and while the world mourns, there’s a cozy dog shelter somewhere in India that’s perhaps rejoicing in your memory.
