Ratan Tata was one of India’s most respected industrialists who took the Tata Group to new heights

New Delhi:

As tributes poured in to honor legendary industrialist Ratan Tata, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai took to social media to commemorate his “business and philanthropic legacy.”

Recalling his interaction with Mr Tata, Mr Pichai said the Tata Group Chairman Emeritus “cared deeply about making India better”. He said they talked about Google’s Waymo autonomous driving technology and that his vision was “inspiring to hear.” He added that the 86-year-old “played an important role in guiding and developing modern business leadership in India”.

Among other business leaders who remembered him were Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra and Chairman of RPG Enterprises Harsh Goenka.

Mr Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group who transformed a staid group into India’s largest and most influential conglomerate, breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai on Wednesday at 11.30 pm.

During my last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about Waymo’s progress and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves behind an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in guiding and developing modern business leadership in India. He deeply…

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) October 9, 2024

He was born on December 28, 1937 in Mumbai. Educated at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, the veteran industrialist worked on the shop floor at the family business after returning to India in 1962. He gained experience in several Tata Group companies before being appointed director in charge of one of them. the National Radio and Electronics Co. in 1971.

Ten years later, he became chairman of Tata Industries and in 1991, he took over as chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle JRD, who had been in charge for more than half a century.

Under his leadership, the conglomerate embarked on a massive expansion drive, destroying iconic British assets including steelmaker Corus and luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover. The two and a half dozen listed companies now make coffee and cars, salt and software, steel and electricity, run airlines and have launched India’s first super app.

After his retirement in 2012, he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.

Mr. Tata was Chairman of Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private sector promoted philanthropic trusts in India.

In 2008, he was honored with the country’s second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.