Death of Ratan Tata: One of India’s most respected industrialists, Ratan Tata built a legacy that goes far beyond business. Known for his humility and quiet determination, the philanthropic efforts of Tata, who died in Mumbai, transformed millions of lives in India and abroad. His commitment to social causes stems from the Tata family’s long tradition of promoting social progress – a legacy he cherished and continued with deep conviction.

Tata’s philanthropic activities through Tata Trusts, one of India’s oldest charities, have evolved under his leadership to focus on a range of social issues. Under his leadership, the Trusts have contributed to health, education, rural development, water, sanitation, hygiene and skills development.

In the healthcare segment, Tata’s efforts have been equally groundbreaking. In 2010, Tata Trusts donated Rs 220 crore to the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata, a state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research facility.

Pavan Choudary, Chairman, Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), said: “Ratan Tata’s visionary leadership transformed the Tata Group from the most trusted Indian conglomerate into a global powerhouse. He combined the path-breaking rise of the Tata group with social responsibility and deep humanity. He will continue to inspire.”

Tata’s philanthropic efforts are not just limited to financial donations. His commitment to innovation and sustainability led to significant investments in clean water initiatives and rural electrification projects. Tata Trusts has also been instrumental in supporting agricultural research, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of farmers across India.

Tata’s defining moment came during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, Tata Sons and Tata Trusts together committed Rs 1,500 crore to support India’s fight against the virus. The Rs 500 crore contribution from Tata Trusts was aimed at personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and healthcare infrastructure.

Tata Trusts’ latest annual report shows that the Trusts’ total disbursements stood at Rs 456.42 crore in FY23. Rs 397.36 crore were disbursed in program grants, Rs 2.24 crore in small grants and Rs 56.82 in individual grants during the year. One of the most notable donations was made in 2008 by Ratan Tata to Cornell University, where Tata donated $50 million. This contribution, aimed at supporting higher education, mainly benefited Indian students who went to university.

In total, Tata Trusts, founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1892, donated more than $102.4 billion to philanthropic causes through 2021, according to the 2021 EdelGive Hurun Philanthropists Of The Century report. And because of their contribution, the trust, managed by Ratan, stood Tata and then the active member of the family, tops the global list in 2021. This was followed by Ely Lilly II of Lilly Endowment ($27.5 billion) and Sharon Percy Rockefeller of the Rockefeller Foundation. ($26.8 billion).

Deepak Sood Secretary General ASSOCHAM said: “One of the defining characteristics of Tata’s personality was his commitment to building leadership in various companies and businesses, which contributed to shareholder value and especially to the interests of stakeholders, including the society as a whole.”

“The world will also remember Ratan Tata for his philanthropic contributions in crucial sectors like healthcare and education, setting standards for others,” he said.

Overall, Ratan Tata’s philanthropy goes beyond numbers: it is rooted in the belief that businesses should contribute to the greater good.