On Ratan Tata’s first death anniversary, 10 quotes that define his wisdom
Ratan Tata was not just a chairman or an industrialist, but he was also a visionary, a person who had empathy for all humans and animals alike. He was highly educated, modest and one of India's most internationally recognised business leaders.
Ratan Tata, a titan of Indian industry, took his final bow on October 9, 2024, at the age of 86. He was the chairman of Tata Group, a veteran industrialist, philanthropist and visionary. Even a after his death, his legacy and wisdom lives on.
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Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937 and was the eldest son of Naval Tata and Sonoo Commissariat. Raised by his grandmother, Lady Navajbai Tata, Ratan N. Tata grew up in an environment, centred around philanthropy and public service.
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He completed his early education at Mumbai’s Cathedral and John Connon School before heading to Cornell University in 1955, earning a degree in architecture and structural engineering.
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Ratan Tata began his journey with the Tata Group in 1962, starting with Tata Industries.
He gained hands-on experience at TELCO (now Tata Motors) and Tata Steel before joining the board of Tata Sons in 1974 and ultimately taking over as chairman in 1991.
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During his tenure the group made many bold acquisitions, among them the takeover of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus and UK-based car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. Some of those decisions paid off, while others - including a failed telecom venture - have cost the company a lot of money.
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A high point came in 2000, when Tata bought Tetley and became the world's second-largest tea company. The deal was the largest takeover of an international brand by an Indian company.
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Ratan Tata left behind a heartfelt legacy in the form of the Small Animal Hospital, a recent initiative of the Tata Trusts. Inspired by his deep compassion for animals, he envisioned a facility where small animals could receive treatment with respect and care.
Another distinctive legacy of Ratan N. Tata was his advocacy for harnessing technology to broaden access to education and tackle India’s most pressing challenges. He recognised its potential as a transformative tool and prioritised making technological solutions affordable and accessible.
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Tata, who passed away in Mumbai, was known as much for his humility as he was for his expansive vision that vaulted the group to a more than $128 billion revenue in 2022.
