RATAN Tata, the former chair of India's oldest conglomerate, and of Tata Steel and Jaguar Land Rover, died at the age of 86, late Wednesday night.
According to foreign reports, for the past few days, Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai.
Tata was hospitalised on Monday owing to age-related issues, and to control his blood pressure.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tata was "a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being".
"He provided stable leadership to one of India's oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom," he said on X.
"He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better."
In 2000 Tata was given the Padma Bhushan, one of India's most distinguished civilian awards.
He also received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, in 2008 for exceptional and distinguished service in trade and industry.
Tata was born in 1937 in a traditional family of Parsis - a highly educated and prosperous community that traces its ancestry to Zoroastrian refugees in India. His parents separated in the 1940s.
Tata Group, a sprawling collection of nearly 100 companies, employs more than 350,000 people worldwide.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said Tata left behind "an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy" and said he was "instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India".
"He deeply cared about making India better," he said.
UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described Tata as "a titan of the business world and someone who played a huge role in shaping British industry".
In 2009, Tata spoke at a school alumni function about his dream for his country, "where every Indian has an equal opportunity to shine on merit".
"In a country like ours," he said, "you have to try and lead by example, not flaunt your wealth and prominence."
A Malaysian who has been friends with Tata for the last 30 years is philanthropist and businessman Datuk Vinod Sekhar.
When contacted, he said he was still in shock having only heard from Tata who recently called to check on both Vinod’s health and the social capitalism programme they were starting at Cambridge.
“I can’t believe he’s gone. He was my mentor. My views and perspectives on how businesses should operate and what we all should aspire for were from him.
“He solidified to me the true meaning of what it meant to be. social capitalist and he made me one.
“I will never forget the kindness, down-to-earth attitude and gentleness he displayed.
“I was planning to meet him on my next trip. It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that this great man of multiple generations is no longer with us,” added Sekhar. - October 10, 2024
