Indian Business Titan Ratan Tata Dead at 86

AFP/APP

Mumbai: Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, who transformed the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, has passed away at the age of 86, the company announced late Wednesday.

Under Tata’s leadership, the company evolved into a vast international enterprise with a diverse portfolio ranging from software to sports cars.

In a statement, company chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed profound loss, stating, “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.”

He extended condolences to Tata’s loved ones, noting that “his legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”

Tributes have poured in from India and around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Tata as “a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul, and an extraordinary human being,” praising him for providing “stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses.”

Modi expressed his deep sorrow over Tata’s passing and offered condolences to his friends and family.

Born in 1937 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Tata initially planned to be an architect and was working in the United States when his grandmother, who raised him, encouraged him to return home and join the family business.

He began his career in 1962 at TISCO, now Tata Steel, where he lived in a hostel for apprentices and worked on the shop floor near blast furnaces. Tata took over the family empire in 1991, leading it through a period of radical free-market reforms in India.

During his 21 years at the helm, the salt-to-steel conglomerate expanded its global footprint, acquiring British luxury brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover. The Tata Group highlighted his philanthropic efforts, stating, “From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come.”

Modi emphasized that Tata’s legacy extends beyond the business realm: “His contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to making our society better.”

Business leaders have also paid their respects. Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, remarked on X that “India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward,” attributing much of that progress to Tata’s influence.

Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, said “the clock has stopped ticking” with Tata’s death, adding that “#RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership, and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond.”

Sundar Pichai, Indian-born CEO of Google, praised Tata for his “extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy,” noting that he “deeply cared about making India better.” Bollywood superstar Salman Khan also expressed his sadness over Tata’s passing.