Obituary: Ratan Tata, the 'modest' Indian tycoon

 Obituary: Ratan Tata, the 'modest' Indian tycoon

Obituary: Ratan Tata, the 'modest' Indian tycoon

Ratan Tata, Who Led Tata Group, Dies at 86


Ratan Tata, one of India’s most prominent business leaders, has passed away at the age of 86. He led the Tata Group, a vast conglomerate with over 100 companies and around 660,000 employees, for more than two decades, generating annual revenues exceeding $100 billion (£76.5 billion).


Founded by Jamsetji Tata, a pioneer of Indian enterprise, the 155-year-old Tata Group encompasses diverse sectors, including Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Steel, aviation, and consumer goods. The company's ethos combines capitalism with philanthropy, aiming to improve lives through business practices, as noted by Peter Casey, author of *The Story of Tata*, an authorized biography of the group.


Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, consists of both publicly traded and privately held companies, all ultimately owned by a philanthropic trust, Casey explains.


Born in 1937 into a traditional Parsi family—an educated and affluent community with Zoroastrian roots—Ratan Tata experienced family separation during his childhood. He pursued higher education in the United States, earning a degree in architecture from Cornell University. During his seven years there, he acquired skills in flying and driving, facing several near misses in aviation that later influenced his leadership style.


Tata returned to India in 1962 at his grandmother's request and was invited to join the Tata Group by his relative, JRD Tata, who became his mentor. Ratan Tata began his career on the factory floor of a steel plant in Jamshedpur before moving into management roles. In the early 1970s, he took over two struggling companies, achieving success with one and mixed results with the other.


In 1991, JRD Tata appointed Ratan as his successor, despite skepticism about his selection. "At the time, there was criticism labeling it nepotism, and I was considered the wrong choice," Tata recalled.


Under his leadership, Tata Group transformed from a traditional manufacturer into a global brand focused on consumer goods. The company made bold acquisitions, including the purchase of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus and UK-based car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. While some ventures, such as the acquisition of Tetley, became major successes, others, like a failed telecom project, proved costly.


A significant highlight of Tata's tenure was the acquisition of Tetley in 2000, making Tata the world’s second-largest tea company. However, his attempt to launch the Tata Nano, marketed as the world’s cheapest car, was less successful and ended in disappointment due to production and marketing issues. Tata later admitted that branding it as the cheapest car was a mistake, stating, "People don’t want to be seen driving the world’s cheapest car!"


Tata’s resilience was notably tested during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, a flagship property, was attacked. Tata pledged to support the families of the employees affected, offering lifelong salaries to the relatives of those killed and investing over $1 billion to restore the hotel within 21 months.


In the latter part of his career, Tata returned to Tata Sons as interim chairman in October 2016 after the ousting of Cyrus Mistry, a move that sparked a significant management conflict. Natarajan Chandrasekaran eventually succeeded him in that role.


Described as a modest, reserved, and disciplined leader, Tata maintained a handwritten to-do list each day and considered himself an optimist. He openly reflected on the company’s relationship with its workers, acknowledging a time when the firm may have taken them for granted.


In 2009, during an alumni speech, Tata expressed his vision for India, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities for all citizens. "In a country like ours, you have to try to lead by example, not flaunt your wealth and prominence," he stated.