Ratan Naval Tata , the former Tata Group chairman who transformed a legacy Indian business house into a global salt-to-software conglomerate and became the face of the resurgent Indian economy in the new millennium, died in a Mumbai hospital late on Wednesday. He was 86. Tata, who undertook a string of high-profile acquisitions during his 20-odd years at the helm of the respected group and ensured the Tata brand being stamped on global icons such as Tetley or Jaguar, was also known for his philanthropic work.
“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” Tata group chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement . Tata was a decorated and respected businessman who won the country’s second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and the third highest honour, the Padma Bhushan in 2000.
Known for his soft-spoken demeanour and humility in public events, his public persona was larger-than-life, and far beyond what a captain of the industry could imagine to command. “Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions.
From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction,” Chandrasekaran�.
