Former chairman of Indian conglomerate Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai on Wednesday night. Tata was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital for age-related medical checkups earlier in the week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Tata as a visionary leader and compassionate individual, while industrialists like Harsh Goenka and Mukesh Ambani paid tribute to his legacy. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also highlighted Tata’s impact on modern business leadership in India.
Tata Group, under Tata’s leadership, grew into a vast empire with nearly 100 companies employing over 350,000 people worldwide. The group includes major players in the automotive, steel, and information technology sectors. In 2008, Tata made headlines by acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion.
Despite many successes, Tata also faced challenges, such as the discontinuation of the Tata Nano, touted as the “people’s car,” due to low sales in 2018. Tata’s tenure marked a period of growth and transformation for the Tata Group, with achievements in various sectors.
Tata, a graduate of Cornell University, joined the Tata Group in 1961 and later became chairman in 1991. He led the conglomerate through a period of economic reforms in India that opened up the country’s economy to global markets. After his retirement in 2012, Tata briefly returned as interim chairman in 2016 before Natarajan Chandrasekaran took over.
Tata’s passing leaves a void in the Indian business community, with leaders and colleagues expressing admiration for his impact and influence. His philanthropic work and commitment to social betterment have left a lasting legacy in India and beyond.
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