Ratan Tata Passes Away at 86: A Legacy of Leadership and Philanthropy

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There was sorrow this week for India’s business society as Ratan Tata, an business magnate died at the age of 86. While the Tata group is often credited to having been shaped by Tata’s moves as the key architect of change that reshaped the conglomerate into a global organization, Tata himself is also remembered as a visionary leader, an innovator and a philanthropist.

Early Life and Education

Ratan Naval Tata, was born on 28 th December 1937, he belonged to the Tata family, which was already dominating the Indian business arena. Ratan Tata’s father, Naval Tata was formally adopted into the family and Ratan Tata’s great grandfather, Jamsetji Tata was the founder of the Tata’s industrial empire in the 1890’s.

Ratan Tata completed his schooling from the Campion School in Mumbai and also took his higher studies done in architecture from Cornell University and completed it in 1962. This was a passion that developed in his mind during his sojourn in England, and which was later to manifested in some of the more audacious initiatives as the chairman of Tata Group.

A Humble Beginning in the Tata Group

Ratan Tata’s period in India strict commence from here which was abroad for a short period of time. He began his career on the shop floors of Tata Steel at Jamshedpur which were indeed a world away from his luxurious last name. This tenure made him familiar with difficulties and strategy of operations of the manufacturing industry which provided an insight of sorts into the functioning of the various Tata companies.

Hailing from a humble background, Ratan Tata was given a spring board by JRD Tata and was appointed as the chairman of Tata sons, the flagship company of the USD 12 billion conglomerate the Tata group in 1991. It was a period of great change in India because the government only started liberalizing the Indian economy to open it for world business. The change of the financial philosophy of India can be said as a starting point and Ratan Tata quickly started to prepare Tata Group to become international competitors.

Transforming Tata Group Into a Global Powerhouse

With Ratan Tata at the helm, the Tata Group looked outward and began acquiring many companies outside of India that would set the stage for the consolidation of the Tata Group as a truly global conglomerate. He also attained Tetley Tea by Tata Tea in the year 2000 that made Tata the world second largest tea company holder. This was succeeded by the purchase of British Corus steelmaker in 2007 and Jaguar and Land Rover car manufacturers in 2008 which placed Tata firmly on the globe market map.

The above propositions were haunting decisions by Ratan Tata when a scant number of Indian companies was exploring the global markets. Most people understood his vision of having a world class Indian brand and he succeeded in empowering the next generation of business leaders in India.

A Compassionate Leader

Nonetheless, Ratan Tata has been admitted to possess great humility and care about society, Although he achieved huge success in the business world. He was a patron also of art and always supported and encouraged proper ethical standards of doing business. He also introduced to society the brand new Tata Nano, the cheapest car in the world. He used to dream and envision that let it be an affordable means of transport for middle class Indians at least but the project could not get the commercial success he expected.

It also involved itself in charitable activities other than its operations as a business. Under his leading of the Tata Trusts, the company concerned has devoted lots of efforts in enhancing education, healthcare, rural development as well as art and culture in India. Tata Sons gives more than 60% of its profits to charity, which was a model that was unusual for many conglomerates. Coh’s concern of Ratan Tata for the society was the reflection of his underlying shaft and belief that the wealth must be used to those who need it.

Leadership in Crisis

In some of the most extraordinary circumstances that marked the modern history of India, Ratan Tata also stood up as a great leader. When the terrorists attacked the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai which belonged to the Tata group in December 2008 Ratan Tata’s reaction was remarkable. He went physically to meet the victims’ families, and personally made sure that all those who have been affected were given compensation. His friendly and interventionist manner in handling the crisis brought a lot of respect from people.

The Post-Retirement Era

Ratan Tata took formal retirement of the position of chairman Tata Group in the year 2012 and was succeeded by Cyrus Mistry. But even in his later years he remained an active figure in the company and was an influential figure in providing the guidance to the heads of the group. His voice still persisted in the business circles and the Indian policies.

Tata also stepped up his efforts to back some of the new ventures in India with active participation in new startups especially in technology borne new ventures and stimulating youths’ entrepreneurial desire. He especially became actively involved in endeavors that connected business with social responsibility, his entire life’s work.

A Lasting Legacy

Ratan Tata’s death ends an era, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Describing him as a ‘truly uncommon leader’ Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, said Kribiaj’s impact on the Tata Group and India at large is immeasurable.

Tata served his country as the founding chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister, said, a ‘visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being’.

He has left a company with its annual revenues crossing $100 billion, but far more importantly, he has left a legacy of Tata – one of integrity, innovation and philanthropy to inspire the Tata Group and the Indian business community at large.

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