![]()
Ratan Tata, the esteemed former chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday night at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His death was confirmed by N Chandrasekaran, the current chairman of Tata Sons, who referred to Tata as a "friend, mentor, and guide," although he did not disclose the cause of death.
Tata had been hospitalized earlier in the week for age-related health issues. On Monday, he reassured the public that there was no cause for concern regarding his health, stating he was undergoing routine checkups.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Tata, describing him as a "visionary leader" and an extraordinary human being. Modi emphasized Tata's stable leadership of one of India's oldest business houses and highlighted his profound impact beyond corporate walls. He noted that Tata's humility and commitment to societal betterment endeared him to many.
![]()
Industrialist Harsh Goenka hailed Tata as a "titan," while Google CEO Sundar Pichai remarked on his significant legacy in both business and philanthropy. Pichai recalled their last meeting at Google, where Tata's inspiring vision for India's future was a focal point of their discussion.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, expressed deep sorrow over Tata's passing, calling it a substantial loss for India and its corporate sector. Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, urged others to emulate Tata's exemplary life.
Tata was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 for his contributions to industry and society.
The Tata Group, under his stewardship, evolved into a vast conglomerate comprising nearly 100 companies, including major players in the automotive and steel industries. Notably, Tata pioneered commercial aviation in India with the launch of an airline that eventually became Air India and later acquired Air India in 2021.
Tata graduated from Cornell University with a degree in architecture and joined the Tata Group in 1961. He succeeded JRD Tata as chairman in 1991 during a pivotal time for India's economy. After retiring in 2012, he briefly returned as interim chairman following the ousting of Cyrus Mistry in 2016 before stepping back into retirement in 2017.
His legacy will endure through both his business achievements and philanthropic efforts that have significantly impacted Indian society.