Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Group Passed Away

Indian industrialist Shri Ratan Tata, credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, has died at the age of 86. The company said this late on Wednesday. Ratan Tata was in the intensive care unit of a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, where his condition was said to be critical. \

Tata Group said in a statement on X, “It is with a very deep loss that we bid farewell to Shri Ratan Naval Tata, a truly extraordinary leader.” Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran confirmed the industrialist’s death late on Wednesday and described Tata as a “friend, mentor and guide”.

Shri Ratan Tata was a respected businessman who won the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian honour, in 2008, and the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest honour, in 2000. Known for his soft-spoken demeanour and modesty at public events, his public persona was larger than life, and far beyond what one could imagine of a captain of industry.

Mr Tata’s commitment to philanthropy and social advancement has deeply impacted the lives of countless individuals. His initiatives, from education to healthcare, have created a lasting legacy that will serve future generations. The basis of this remarkable work was the authentic humility Mr Tata displayed in each personal engagement, Chandrasekaran’s statement noted.

After graduating with a degree in architecture at Cornell University, he returned to India and in 1962 began working for the group his great-grandfather Jamsedji Tata founded nearly a century earlier.

He has served as chairman of several major Tata Group companies, including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Power, Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals, Taj Group and Tata Teleservices. Under his leadership, the Tata Group’s revenue grew significantly, surpassing $100 billion in the financial year 2011–12. Ratan Tata became a member of the Tata Group in 1962 and after his tenure in various roles, was appointed as the Director-in-Charge of National Radio Electronics Company Limited in 1971.