Ratan Tata on how he wanted the world to remember him

Ratan Tata was one of India’s most powerful and admired magnates

Industrialists, politicians, and celebrities are mourning the loss of Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, who passed away on October 9 at a Mumbai hospital.

Ratan Tata will be remembered as a visionary industrialist and philantropist whose influence reshaped India's business landscape and inspired countless individuals.

When asked about his legacy during an interview some years ago, Ratan Tata succinctly said that he wants to be remembered as "someone who made a difference."

"I'd like to be remembered as a person who made a difference, not anything more, not anything less," he told Suhel Seth during an interview with CNBC-TV18 in 2017.

Read Full Interview: 'I'd like to be remembered as a person who made a difference'

"I want to be remembered as..."What was Ratan Tata's biggest moment of despair, his biggest achievement, and how he wanted to be remembered? Find out in this video#ratantata #tata #ratan #rip #ripratantata #breakingnews #cnbctv18digital pic.twitter.com/vJ016o1sgw
CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) October 9, 2024

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and several other shared the video clip on X, which has gone viral on social media. 

Deeply saddened by the passing of Sh. Ratan Tata, a visionary business leader, an extraordinary nation-builder, and a remarkable human being.His contributions to industry, society, and humanity have left an indelible legacy. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones pic.twitter.com/upU2v8ivwP Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) October 10, 2024

In another interaction with CNBC-TV18, Ratan Tata said that he wants to be remembered as a person who was able to make a change.

"If I think about how I would like to be remembered - I would like to be remembered as a person who was able to make a change. Who was able to be responsible for a change in the way we looked at things. What that might be spelt out as - I can't really say because I have a feeling that that's going to just happen one day when you become the innovator ... that would be an immensely exciting area to be in," he said.

Read: Noel Tata emerges as key figure in Tata Group’s leadership transition

He added that if one can find satisfaction in enabling something meaningful—regardless of its financial success—what it contributes to the world is what truly excites someone like him.

Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of Indias oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared pic.twitter.com/p5NPcpBbBD Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2024

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed Tata’s death in an emotional statement on Wednesday and described him as his “friend, mentor, and guide.” He did not provide a cause of death.

Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. He joined the Tata group in 1961 and succeeded JRD Tata as chairman of Tata Sons upon the latter’s retirement in 1991.

In December 2012, Tata retired as chairman of the Tata Sons. He briefly served as interim chairman beginning Oct. 2016, following the ouster of his successor, Cyrus Mistry. He returned to retirement in 2017 when Natarajan Chandrasekaran was appointed chairman of the Tata Group.

Ratan Tata received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s most distinguished civilian awards, in 2000 and "Padma Vibhushan" in 2008.