Ratan Tata, who is credited with transforming the Tata Group into a globally renowned conglomerate, died at age 86, the company said late Wednesday. Ratan Tata had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in Mumbai, where his condition was described as “critical”. Tata was born into an affluent industrial family with a rich legacy.
His father, Naval Tata, was adopted by Jamshedji Tata, who founded the original Tata Iron and Steel plant in Jamshedpur in August 1907. The plant grew into Tata Group of Companies after independence and contributed to India's industrialisation. Ratan Tata led a life of humility and simplicity.
His close aide, Suhel Seth, said he will always remember Ratan Tata as a great human being who lived with utmost dignity and compassion. Also read | Track live updates on Ratan Tata's funeral Here are 5 inspiring stories from Ratan Tata's life He worked Tata Steel's shop floor: Despite being born into a wealthy family, he worked as an apprentice on the shop floor of Tata Steel. After graduation, he gained experience across various Tata Group of companies including Telco (now Tata Motors) and Tata Steel itself.
In 1981, he was elevated as chairman of Tata industries when JRD Tata stepped down. Tata had to face apprehensions within the group itself to prove himself. Maintaining dignity at all cost: He credited his grandmother for instilling the value of maintaining dignity in inter-personal relationships.
Tata recollected how his grandmother's te.