Mumbai: Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has been pronounced dead in a Mumbai hospital on October 9, 2024 (yesterday). Ratan Tata at the 86 years of age, had been all of a sudden admitted to Breach Candy Hospital due to age-related health issues, where it was reported that he had high blood pressure. Although he was in the hospital for few days, he recently reassured the public that he is in good health and merely undergoing routine checkups.
His contributions to the Tata Group and to the nation are immense. Present chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran was badly saddened by the news as he called Ratan Tata a mentor and a friend. According to him, “Tata is not just a mentor and friend to me. He is a mentor to millions of those who admired him from afar through his writings and stories of excellence”.
From 1991 to 2012, he led the Tata Group. Under his leadership, the group turned into a global giant having businesses which run from steel to software. Other achievements have been, The Tata Teleservices in 1996, and, in 2004, taking Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). In 2009, Ratan Tata ventured into a scheme that was touted as the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano, which initited the start of Tata Motors.
Even as chairman, Tata continued working actively in charity, especially through the Tata Trusts, which benefited education and health. He was honored with two of India’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
Ratan Tata was also successful as an entrepreneur supporter, had invested in over 30 start-ups across various sectors and inspired many young entrepreneurs in India even while being a successful businessman.
Born in 1937, Ratan Tata was brought up by his grandmother after his parents separated. He did his architecture degree at Cornell University and then took a management course at Harvard University. Despite the fact that he went through many relationships and even came close to marriage several times, he never married.
The head of Tata Group, Ratan Tata, was also well-engaged on social media in promoting animal rights, and as of today, he still has a huge following. He made sure Bombay House, the headquarters of Tata Group, became a home for stray dogs.
His death is an irreparable loss to the Tata Group and India and he will be fondly remembered as someone who correlated great business success with the ethics of social responsibility.
