New Delhi: Tata group chairman Ratan N Tata has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 for having "achieved a makeover of far-reaching dimensions."

Tata will represent India at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards ceremony to be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, in June 2004.

Tata received the coveted award from Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in the presence of Minister for Commerce and Industry Arun Jaitley, Infosys Technologies chairman and chief mentor N R Narayanamurthy, senior bureaucrats and Indian corporate leaders.

Narayanamurthy was the recipient of the Ernst &Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award this year.

The citation for the award to Tata said: "Since he took over the reins of the Tata group in 1991, Tata has achieved a makeover of far-reaching dimensions. From a relatively unwieldy conglomerate, Tata has now changed the complexion of the group to make it more nimble-footed and cohesive. Tata companies are now making their mark on the world stage.

"Tata Consultancy Services is set to become the world''s largest provider of end-to-end technology solutions; Tata Tea''s acquisition of the Tetley brand in the UK makes it the world''s second-largest tea marketer; Tata Steel is one of the world''s lowest cost steel-makers; and Tata Motors, traditionally a truck-maker, is today delivering best-selling passenger cars like the Sumo and the Indica."