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NATION OCTOBER 11, 2024 | The Indian Eye 8

RATAN TATA (1937-2024)

How a titan of industry touched lives of millions

with innovation, philanthropy and humanism

Ratan Tata began restructuring of Tata group in 1991 and from 2000 onwards, the growth and

globalization drive of the Tata group gathered pace under his stewardship

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai

atan N Tata was among India’s most respect-
ed and loved industrialists, who took Tata
RGroup to new heights and touched the fabric
of the nation through his contributions across differ-
ent areas including philanthropy. One of the most
internationally well-known Indian business leaders,
Ratan Tata was known for his humility and compas-
sion while also his vision, business acumen, integrity
and ethical leadership.
He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, the coun-
try’s second-highest civilian honor, in 2008. He took
over as Chairman of Tata Sons and Chairman of the
Tata trusts in 1991, a year when India’s economy
opened up through a series of economic reforms.
He made use of the opportunities it presented while
dealing with challenges.
He served as the chairman of Tata Group for
more than two decades till he retired in 2012.
Born to Naval and Soonoo Tata on December
28, 1937, Ratan Tata and his younger brother, Jim-
my, were brought up by their grandmother, Nava-
jbai R Tata, in a baroque manor called Tata Palace
in downtown Mumbai.
Ratan Tata left for Cornell University in the
United States at age 17 and studied architecture Ratan Tata with a model of Nano (ANI file photo)
and engineering over a seven-year period. He was
awarded bachelor of architecture degree in 1962. 1971. He joined the board of Tata Sons as a director He announced that the Nano base variant would be
His years in America from 1955 to 1962 influ- in 1974. A year later he completed the Advanced priced at Rs 1 lakh (ex-factory).
enced him tremendously. He travelled the country Management Program at Harvard Business School. Ratan Tata stepped down as Chairman of Tata
and was charmed by California and that West Coast Ratan Tata was appointed Chairman of Tata Sons after 50 years with the Tata group and was ap-
lifestyle he was ready to settle down in Los Angeles. Industries in 1981 and began the process of trans- pointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.
The spell was broken when Navajbai’s health de- forming it into a promoter of high-technology busi- Ratan Tata inspired by example and had a com-
teriorated and he was forced to return to a life he nesses. He drafted Tata strategic plan in 1983. From mitment to excellence and innovation.
thought he had left behind. 1986 to 1989, he served as Chairman of Air India, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said
Back in India, Ratan Tata had a job offer from the national carrier. that Tata Group under stewardship of Ratan Tata
IBM. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (JRD) Tata was Ratan Tata began restructuring of Tata group expanded its global footprint while remaining true
not amused and after Ratan Tata sent a resume, in 1991 and from 2000 onwards, the growth and to its moral compass.
was offered a job, in 1962, with Tata Industries, the globalization drive of the Tata group gathered pace “Mr Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the
promoter company of the group. Ratan Tata spent under his stewardship. The new millennium saw a development of society has touched the lives of mil-
six months at Telco, now called Tata Motors, before string of high-profile Tata acquisitions, among them lions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives
joining Tisco, now Tata Steel, in 1963. Tetley, Corus, Jaguar Land Rover, Brunner Mond, have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit gener-
He was appointed technical officer in Tisco’s General Chemical Industrial Products and Daewoo. ations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr
engineering division in 1965 and in 1969 worked as In 2008, he launched the Tata Nano. The launch Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interac-
the Tata group’s resident representative in Australia. of world’s most easy-on-pocket car made headlines tion,” he said in his tributes.
In 1970, Ratan Tata returned to India and globally. He guided and commanded with zeal and People across various sections of life, leaders
joined Tata Consultancy Services, then a software determination the trailblazing small car project. He cutting across the political spectrum and industri-
fledgling, for a short stint and became the director said everyone had been referring to the Nano as a ‘1 alists in India and abroad paid glowing tributes to
of National Radio and Electronics (NELCO) in lakh car’ and noted that “a promise was a promise”. Ratan Tata who passed away on Wednesday evening.

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