Ratan Tata is no more

Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata breathed his last at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital late on Wednesday. He was 86, and a bachelor. 

Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital a few days ago, for what he himself said, a routine check-up for age-related ailments.

But, it was not to be and was more complicated than initially thought of.

Tata Group confirmed his demise in a late night statement by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, who mourned the loss of a “truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation." 

Chandrasekaran spoke of Ratan Tata’s unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and spirit of innovation, and how the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint. 

For him, and to the Tata Group, Ratan Tata was more than a chairperson - a mentor, guide and friend, who Chandrasekar said, inspired by example. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the demise of Ratan Tata, “a visionary leader and a compassionate and extraordinary human being” whose contribution went far beyond boardrooms.

He also spoke of his humility, kindness and the unwavering commitment to making the society better, which endeared him to several people.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said Ratan Tata’s last rites will be performed with full state honours.

Ratan Tata, who was the chairman of the over 100-year-old Tata Group from 1991 to 2012, built on the foundations of the conglomerate laid by his great-grandfather Sir Jamshedji Tata and uncle JRD Tata.

During his chairmanship, Tata Group launched Tata Teleservices in 1996 and got IT services company Tata Consultancy Services listed in 2004.

Under his 22 years of chairmanship, the group saw a slew of overseas acquisitions, which included the takeover of British firm Tetley Tea by Tata Tea in 2000 for $450 million.

In 2007, Tata Group acquired British steel giant Corus Steel for $8 billion, which, however, continues to be a drain on the group’s resources, primarily because of Europe’s regulatory environment.

And, in 2008, Tata Motors acquired loss-making Jaguar Land Rover from Ford England for $2.3 billion and turned it into a big success. JLR now accounts for nearly a third of Tata Motors’ revenue and profit.

These acquisitions along with the operations of its IT service TCS, also made Tata group one of the largest employers in the UK.

And, in 2009, Ratan Tata made passenger car accessible to the middle class Indian with the Rs1 lakh `Tata Nano’, the world's cheapest.

Ratan Tata briefly took the reins of Tata Group again between 2016 and 2017.

Tata Group appointed Cyrus Mistry as chairman after Ratan Tata stepped down. But that proved to be a testing time for the group management until Mistry was ousted as chairman in a boardroom coup. Mistry died in a car crash in 2022. 

Ratan Tata continued to be chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.

Born on 28 December 1937 to Naval Tata and Soonoo Commisariat, Ratan Tata had a difficult childhood as his parents got separated in 1948, when he just 11. He and his younger brother Jimmy were raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.

Growing up, Ratan Tata secured a degree in architecture from Cornell University, and a post-graduate degree in management from Harvard.

He decided to remain a bachelor after his three attempts to get married failed, according to his own account.

Ratan Tata began as an apprentice on the shop floor of Tata Steel. He was given charge of National Radio and Electronics Company (Nelco) and the Empress Mills in the late 70s. And, in 1991, when JRD stepped down as chairman of Tata Sons, named Ratan his successor. 

The nation honoured Ratan Tata with Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, in 2008. He had received the Padma Bhushan in 2000.

While Ratan Tata has not named any successor, Noel Tata seems to be the key figure among the list of possible leaders. He is the son of Naval Tata from his second marriage to Simone Dunoyer and the half-brother of Ratan Tata. 

Noel Tata has three children – Leah, Maya and Neville Tata - who are likely to be possible heirs to the Tata legacy.

Leah Tata, 39, a graduate of IE Business School in Spain, oversees operations at the Indian Hotel Company, which includes the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. 

Maya Tata, 34, had her education at the Bayes Business School and the University of Warwick. She has played key roles at Tata Opportunities Fund and Tata Digital and played an important role in the launch of the Tata Neu App.

Neville Tata, 32, heads Star Bazaar, a well-known hypermarket chain under Trent Limited. He is married to Manasi Kirloskar, who is part of the Toyota Kirloskar Group.