"Ratan" Tata
"I am not a person who believes in fate. I believe in hard work. "
Ratan Tata (1937 - 2024)
On October 9, 2024, Ratan Tata passed away at the age of 89, due to age related health issues in Mumbai. He was one of the most-known businessman in India. He was the former Chairman and the Chairman Emeritus of the Tata group. He was the most influential industrialist in the country and has left behind a legacy that has significantly shaped the landscape of Indian industry. Ratan Tata was an excellent leader and was known for his many acts of kindness. He helped a lot of people and had a great passion for animals.
Who was Ratan Tata?
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Navsari, Gujarat to Soonoo and Naval Tata. However, he was brought up by his grandmother Navajbai R. Tata. He was born in a prominent and rich family. His great-grandfather was Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group.
After attending school in Bombay, Ratan Tata finished high school in New York City in 1955. He then studied at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, where he earned a B.S. (1962) in architecture before returning to India to work.
Tata Group Leadership
Ratan Tata served as the Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and 2016-2017. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded globally and diversified its business interests. Under his leadership, Tata Group also launched several successful projects, including the Tata Nano, which aimed to create an affordable car for the masses.
He expanded the Tata Group by acquiring international companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel.
Giving back to society
Ratan Tata believed in helping people and giving back to society. He has donated a lot of money to help schools, hospitals, poor people and communities. He loved animals and supported many animal welfare organisations.
Awards
Ratan Tata has received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 2008 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014, two of India’s highest civilian honours.
Mentorship
After retiring, he has been active in mentoring young entrepreneurs and investing in startups through Ratan Tata Trust and other initiatives. After his retirement in 2012, he played the role of an investor, mentor and guiding light for many startups. Some startups he invested in include Snapdeal, FirstCry, Ola and CureFit.
What can we learn from Ratan Tata?
There are many valuable life lessons we can learn from Ratan Tata. Here are a few lessons:
Humility: Despite his great success, Ratan Tata was known for being humble and down-to-earth. This teaches us to be grounded and respectful to everyone despite our success.
Generosity and Giving Back: Ratan Tata has always given back to society through his numerous charitable initiatives. This shows us that true success means helping others and improving the world around us.
Hard Work and Dedication: His success came from dedication and perseverance, showing us that effort pays off.
Resilience: Ratan Tata also faced many challenging situations and setbacks in his career. This teaches us that we need to be determined and constantly persevere and understand that failures are a part of the journey to success.
Integrity: Ratan Tata was well known for his honesty and strong moral values. This shows that it is always important to do the right thing, even when it's difficult. Always standing up for the right thing, ensures respect and success.
