Ratan Tata, former chairman of the Tata Group, passed away at the age of 86, the company announced on Wednesday. He was a visionary leader who steered the Indian conglomerate through transformative global acquisitions and left a profound impact on India's business landscape.

After graduating with a degree in architecture from Cornell University, Ratan Tata returned to India in 1962 to join the Tata Group, the conglomerate his great-grandfather had founded nearly a century earlier. Over the years, he worked across various companies within the group, including Tata Motors and Tata Steel. Notably, he revitalized the National Radio & Electronics Company by erasing its losses and boosting its market share.

A life of Ratan Tata

In 1991, Ratan Tata was appointed chairman of the Tata Group, then a $100 billion steel-to-software conglomerate. He led the company until 2012 and briefly returned as chairman from 2016 to 2017. Under his leadership, Tata Group expanded its global presence, most famously acquiring iconic brands Jaguar and Land Rover in 2004, marking a historic moment in Indian business.

Ratan Tata was known for his commitment to innovation, most notably with the launch of the Tata Nano in 2009. Designed to be the world’s most affordable car, priced at ₹1 lakh, the Nano represented his vision of providing affordable transportation to the Indian middle class.

Despite overseeing more than 30 companies operating in over 100 countries, Ratan Tata lived a modest and unpretentious life. His passion for philanthropy was central to his identity. He continued to oversee the Tata Trusts, a collective of charitable organizations that own 66% of Tata Sons, even after stepping back from day-to-day operations.

Ratan Tata's leadership inspired generations of entrepreneurs, and his words of wisdom continue to resonate.

Some of his most famous quotes include:

- None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person, but their own mindset can.

- Take the stones people throw at you and use them to build a monument.

- Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.

Ratan Tata never married and had no children, but his legacy endures through his transformative leadership, his philanthropic endeavours, and the powerful Tata Trusts. His passing leaves a profound void at the helm of one of India's most respected business empires.

Source / Image Credit : Britannica, Ratan Naval Tata, Livemint