Ratan Tata, a titan of Indian industry, passes away

Ratan Tata, veteran industrialist, philanthropist, and chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away on Wednesday. He was 86. He was in critical condition at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital and breathed his last on Wednesday night.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Thursday morning that Ratan Tata  would be accorded a state funeral.

On October 7, Ratan Tata was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital after a drop in his blood pressure level. Following reports of his hospitalisation, Mr Tata had termed the claims unfounded and said there was no cause for concern regarding his health as he was undergoing check-ups for age-related medical conditions. "I am currently undergoing medical check-ups due to my age-related medical conditions. There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits," he said, requesting the public and the media to refrain from “spreading misinformation”.

A real Titan 

Describing Mr Tata as his 'friend, mentor and guide', Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, said: "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.” 

"For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group, under his stewardship, expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass," Mr Chandrasekhar said.

"Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction."

The industrialist Harsha Goenka said in his condolence message on X. “The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership, and philanthropy. He has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories.” 

Milestones inRatan Tata's life

- Received a B.Arch. degree from Cornell University in the US in 1962.

- Worked briefly with Jones and Emmons in Los Angeles before returning to India in late 1962.

- Completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School in 1975.

- Took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in March 1991 and retired on December 28, 2012.

- During his tenure as chairman, the  Tata Group's revenues grew manifold, totalling $ 100 billion in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere ₹10,000 crore in 1991.

- He led the group into some notable acquisitions, starting with Tetley by Tata Tea for $450 million in 2000, to steelmaker Corus by Tata Steel in 2007 for 6.2 billion pounds and the landmark Jaguar LandRover in 2008 for $ 2.3 billion by Tata Motors.

- The Government of India honoured Tata with its second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008.

- After his retirement, Tata faced a boardroom battle with his successor Cyrus Mistry, who was sacked as chairman of Tata Sons on October 24, 2016.

- He returned as Interim Chairman of the group after Mistry was removed and handed over the baton of the group to N Chandrasekaran in January 2017 and moved to his role of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.

(By arrangement with livemint.com)