Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group who put a stalwart and sprawling Indian conglomerate on the world stage with a series of high-profile acquisitions, is no more. The Tata Group said this in a statement late on Wednesday. He was 86.

“It is with a deep sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly extraordinary leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the fabric of our nation,” said Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. in a statement.

The statement added: “For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a Chairman. To me he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by leading by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and innovation, the Tata Group under his leadership has expanded its global footprint, while always staying true to its moral compass.

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Mr. Tata’s commitment to philanthropy and community development has touched the lives of millions of people. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. What enhanced all this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction.

On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.”

Many industrialists and other well-known personalities took to Twitter to express their condolences as well.

In a tweet, industrial Hard Goenka wrote: “The clock is no longer ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who left an indelible mark on the business world and beyond. He will forever remain high in our memories. RIP “

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter and wrote: “Though he resigned as chairman in 2012, Ratan Tata retained the honorary title of chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals. played a key role in overseeing the Tata Trusts, a leading force in Indian philanthropy. His immense contributions to the industry earned him the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, two of India’s highest civilian awards.

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Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said ‘legends’ like Mr Ratan Tata will never disappear. He wrote on Good.” like he never disappears

Ratan Tata was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai earlier this week due to age-related ailments.

He was transferred to the ICU earlier today.

Ratan Tata took over as chairman of the Tata Group in 1991, overseeing the massive conglomerate that his great-grandfather founded more than a century ago. Under his leadership, Tata Teleservices was launched in 1996 Tata Consulting Services (TCS) went public in 2004.

Although he was no longer involved in the group’s day-to-day operations, Tata Sons leadership often sought his advice on important decisions. Known as a genteel businessman, Ratan Tata was revered across the country for his humility and kindness, often seen as an embodiment of ethical leadership.

Born on December 28, 1937 into the illustrious Tata family, Ratan Tata studied architecture and construction engineering at Cornell University and later completed a management program at Harvard Business School. During his chairmanship, he led the Tata Group through a phase of globalization and bold acquisitions, transforming the group into a global brand.

In addition to his corporate leadership, he served on the international advisory boards of Mitsubishi Corporation and JP Morgan Chase. According to his profile on the Tata Sons website, he was widely respected for his business acumen and visionary leadership.

Ratan Tata had almost 10 million followers on Instagram, where he followed just two accounts: the Small Animal Hospital, Mumbai and Tata Trusts, reflecting his personal interests in animal welfare and philanthropy.