Goodbye Ratan Tata – Your shoes will not be easy to fill

re are businessmen and n re are visionaries. Ratan Tata – was latter.

A national asset. An asset for world. From India to globe, his contribution to creation of formidable Tata presence and shaping legacy of conglomerate on Indian soil and world st – Ratan Tata’s pursuit of excellence was relentless till end of his life. His repertoire – strewn over every scope of life.

Tata group was created a century before India’s independence, in 1868– by Jamshetji Tata, a Parsi priest. company outlived vision of founder, and its destiny reafter remained to be forged by every successor, a firebrand in his own right. Ratan Tata was one of m.

Tata group over next hundred years since its humble start was to become a nation-builder. From steel to aviation and everything in between, group touched lives of common person and elevated m through promise of quality that each of its brands made. Tata eventually became synymous with trust.

When Ratan Tata took on mantle of leading a company with a 156-year-old legacy in 1991, a fresh vision was born. He was a pivot for group, from India to world. Under his stewardship, group expanded its global footprint and added a galaxy of iconic brands to Tata repertoire.

Today, Tata group has a presence in over one hundred countries, and in year ended March 2024, group has clocked a revenue worth $164 billion. With 24 or more listed companies under its wings, Tata universe includes everything: coffee, salt, cars, software, semiconductors – you name it.

Ratan Tata gave company significant, head-turning moments – when he picked some prominent global brands like Tetley Tea in 2000, British steelmaker –Corus Group in 2007, and luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 and many more nafter.

In automobile industry, Tata worked with a vision for improving lives of Indians and launched Tata Na and Indica for mass access to mobility. His larger vision encapsulated spirit of philanthropy through Tata Trusts and academic wings of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Tata Memorial Hospital, and Tata Scholarships.

new dimension, Tata gave group was also a matter of timing. Ratan Tata joined group at cusp of India’s liberalisation. As India started spreading its wings effect had to rub off on company. Eventually, his investments spread into sphere of techlogy with Ola, Paytm , and UrbanClap being his striking tech investments.

His resilience as a leader was tested during 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. After his exit from chairmanship of Tata group, Ratan Tata has been seen mostly as a philanthropist.

re are many stories afloat of his love for dogs, including one where he sent across his regrets to Prince Charles for t being able to attend an award ceremony for ill health of his dog. Before he left, Ratan Tata witnessed Air India’s return to glory.

A child from a broken family, Ratan Tata is survived by a nation full of people who have genuine respect and love for a man – larger than life in his vision and work.