The Last Goodbye
Indeed, one of India’s precious jewel has left for the Heavens, leaving behind an unmatched legacy. The Honorable Prime Minister, Sh.Narendra Modi, led the tributes by posting in his social media handles ~ “Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, 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.”
As a nation bade farewell to one of its most revered sons, Mr. Ratan Naval Tata (1937-2024), a paragon of visionary leadership and humility, it will be a poignant moment to cast our mind back to his life’s work, which has been a masterclass in excellence, generosity, and social responsibility that had a catalytic effect on India’s phenomenal growth, over the past few decades. As a champion of philanthropy and industrial stewardship, Mr. Tata embodied selflessness and commitment for the greater good of the society, leaving an enduring impact on the nation, even as his business acumen forged a multibillion-dollar empire. Notably, despite helming a vast empire, he never sought to flaunt his wealth ; instead he lived his life to make everyone’s else better.
The essence of my article is not to chronicle in details the empire he built, but to illuminate the character of the man who crafted it. It is about the king who, with humility and grace, conquered hearts—not just territories. It is a tribute to the artist whose canvas was India itself, and who, with every stroke of compassion, integrity, and visionary leadership, painted a landscape of hope and progress. His tools were not wealth or power, but the virtues of kindness, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of others.
Humble beginnings & Warrior at heart
There is a beautiful anecdote about Mr. Ratan Tata, that happened to occur in his initial years. Mr. Tata’s journey into the corporate world began humbly, and it is tales like the one at NELCO that reveal the depth of his character. While most remember him as the towering figure who redefined Indian business, his humility and hands-on approach were evident from the very start. Assigned as a steward at the ailing electronics company NELCO, Mr.Ratan Tata was more than just a figurehead ; he was deeply involved in every aspect of the business.
One day, while traveling to Nasik with a team of senior managers, the car had a flat tire. As the driver pulled over, most of the managers took it as an opportunity to relax, smoke, and chat. Amidst this informal break, Mr.Tata was nowhere to be seen. It wasn’t long before they found him with his sleeves rolled up, diligently helping the driver replace the tire, checking the spare, and ensuring everything was in place. A senior official, surprised, asked, “Ratan, why are you doing this? It’s the driver’s job!”
In his characteristic humility, Mr.Tata simply replied, “Sir, if we don’t help him fix this problem, we will lose precious time, and a loss of time is a loss of money.”
This anecdote captured the very essence of Mr.Tata’s leadership—a person who, despite his position, never considered himself above others, who valued every minute and every hand, and who understood that great leaders are defined not by the titles they hold, but by their willingness to lead by example, no matter the situation.
Mr.Ratan Tata never shied away from challenges, be it in corporate boardrooms or out on a dusty road. Like a ship’s captain standing at the bow, he steered through turbulent seas with composure and conviction. When Ratan Tata took over as Chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, he inherited not only a sprawling conglomerate but also a deeply entrenched culture of autonomy that was, in many cases, bordering on feudalism. Many of the companies within the Tata Group were controlled by powerful ‘satraps’ who had long operated their businesses as personal ‘fiefdoms’, resistant to change and central oversight. Mr.Ratan Tata, despite being seen as soft-spoken and reserved, proved to be a pugnacious leader in the battles that took place in ‘Bombay House’, the group’s headquarters. With a clear vision of transforming the Tata Group into a more cohesive and modern enterprise, he took on these satraps, one by one. He believed that no individual, no matter how influential, was bigger than the Tata name or its values. Over time, these powerful executives—who had long ruled their companies with little regard for collective interests—were shown the door.
Mr. Ratan Tata’s ability to confront these entrenched powers, while maintaining the ethical and moral values that defined the Tata Group, showed his inner strength. It was a delicate balance between ruthlessness in the boardroom and upholding the legacy of trust and integrity that his uncle, the legendary JRD Tata, had built. Through these battles, Mr.Ratan Tata not only solidified his control over the empire but also set it on a course for unprecedented global growth, turning the Tata Group into one of the most respected and diversified conglomerates in the world.
Rising from the Ashes
One striking episode is the way Mr.Tata, transformed TATA Motors. In the late 1990s, the company’s automobile division was struggling (primarily surviving on commercial vehicle sales), and Mr.Tata’s ambitious plan to launch a small passenger car was mocked. The now-famous quip, “TATA Motors would be history after the Indica,” only strengthened his resolve. In true underdog fashion, Indica went on to become one of the most loved cars in India—a testament to his perseverance, much like an archer who hits his mark when doubters questioned whether the bow was even drawn.
Casting my mind on another historic car launch by TATA Motors, The Tata Nano, initially dubbed as the ‘lakhtakia’ car (Rs. 1 lakh car) in local vernacular, officially debuted in March 2009 with significant fanfare. Mr. Ratan Tata presented the Tata Nano as a budget-friendly vehicle tailored for middle and lower-middle-income consumers globally. Boasting a five-person seating capacity, the Tata Nano garnered the nickname ‘people’s car’, owing to its affordability and practicality.
Notwithstanding the demise of Indica and Nano, Tata Motors’ resurgence under Mr.Ratan Tata’s leadership is noteworthy, as his forward-thinking approach and strategic initiatives propelled the brand to achieve remarkable success. The current day success of models like Nexon, Punch & others is a glowing testament to Mr.Ratan Tata’s dynamic approach.
The Bold Gambit: Acquiring Global Giants
Under Mr.Ratan Tata’s leadership, the Tata Group evolved into a global powerhouse. His audacious moves, such as acquiring Corus (Europe’s second-largest steelmaker) for $13 billion approx. and Jaguar Land Rover for an estimated $2.3 billion , weren’t just corporate transactions; they were symbols of India’s arrival on the global stage. These moves were akin to a chess grandmaster orchestrating a checkmate—brilliant, calculated, and game-changing.
These acquisitions were more than just financial gambits. They were statements of belief—both in India’s potential and in Tata’s vision of a globalized, interconnected future. They demonstrated that the right mix of risk and resolve can lead to unmatched success.
The People’s Billionaire & love for the Motherland
Despite the incredible wealth and influence Mr.Ratan Tata commanded, as mentioned earlier, he remained the billionaire who never was. As per the tata.com web portal, 66% of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is currently held by philanthropic trusts, which support education, health, livelihood generation, and art and culture. His life and career were like a mighty river—quiet, yet powerful—flowing tirelessly toward nurturing the land and people around him. This unprecedented commitment to philanthropy sets Mr.Ratan Tata apart from the usual metrics of business success.
The Honorable Chief Minister of Assam, Sh. Himanta Biswa Sarma, expressed his condolences through an emotional post on his Facebook page, mourning the loss of the celebrated business leader. Citing an excerpt from that social media post, Mr. Sarma quoted, “Shri Ratan Tata Ji’s legacy is one of compassion, statesmanship and unshakeable conviction in the India growth story. His life is defined by building enterprise and giving back to society. In his demise, people of Assam have lost one of its biggest well wishers. Shri Tata , a recipient of Assam’s highest civilian award, occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Assam. He took a giant leap of faith for the welfare of Assam. He was deeply passionate about improving healthcare in the State and with his vision we gave birth to the Assam Cancer Care Foundation. He played an instrumental role in setting up Tata’s Semiconductor facility in Jagiroad and creating several employment opportunities for our youth.”
A Man of Compassion
Beyond business, Mr.Ratan Tata’s empathy for people and animals had always been profound. He had a quiet love for animals, particularly dogs, which came to light when he adopted stray dogs who were displaced after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Like a silent guardian of the forgotten, he stepped up for those who couldn’t fend for themselves. Infact, Mr.Tata famously missed a meeting with King Charles III to care for his sick pet. His vision led to the creation of India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital, reflecting his lifelong dedication to animal welfare. Suhel Seth, a close friend of Mr.Tata, recounted the story in a video, that has gone viral in social media post Mr.Tata’s demise. Seth shared how he received multiple missed calls from Mr.Ratan Tata before finally connecting with him. “Tango and Tito, my dogs—one of them has fallen terribly ill. I can’t leave him and come,” Mr.Tata explained to Seth. Upon hearing this, King Charles expressed admiration, stating, “That’s a man. That’s the man Ratan is. That’s why the house of Tata is what it is. That’s why it’s on a stable course.”
Champion of Startups and the Future
As a nod to the evolving world, Mr.Ratan Tata took up the mantle of nurturing the startup ecosystem in India. His investments in disruptive companies such as Ola Electric, Snapdeal, etc., showed his keen eye for innovation didn’t stop at the boardrooms of large conglomerates. He championed the next wave of entrepreneurs, acting like a bridge between generations, guiding today’s dreamers as he once guided Tata Motors and Steel.
A Humble Leader to the End
When asked about his accomplishments, Mr. Ratan Tata, true to form, often deflected the praise, crediting his teams and leaders for the successes he oversaw. He was the quiet conductor of a grand orchestra—guiding the symphony, but never seeking the spotlight. In his eyes, leadership was not about basking in glory but about helping others shine. As he once said, “I don’t believe in taking right decisions; I take decisions and make them right.”
Mr. Ratan Naval Tata will forever be remembered as a man who built, nurtured, and transformed not just a business empire but the very spirit of India. Although his physical presence will be missed, but his legacy will be longed remembered like that of a ‘Banyan tree’ —firm in its roots, sheltering those around, and growing with grace, strength, and wisdom
