Doyen of India Inc, Ratan Tata no more; President, PM and industry leaders pay tribute

Ratan Tata, the veteran industrialist, philanthropist, and investor, breathed his last on Wednesday, October 9, in Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The man, for whom words will be inadequate to describe what he was to India and even beyond, was admitted to the hospital on Monday. 

Tata was 86 years old.

Tata took over as the chairman of Tata Sons in March 1991 and retired on December 28, 2012. During his tenure, the Tata Group's revenues grew manifold, totalling $100.09 billion in 2011-12 from a turnover of a mere ₹10,000 crore in 1991. 

Tata returned as interim chairman of the group and handed over the baton of the group to N Chandrasekaran in January 2017 and moved to his role of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.

The whole nation is in mourning following the death of the doyen of the Indian industry.

President Droupadi Murmu said, "In the sad demise of Shri Ratan Tata, India has lost an icon who blended corporate growth with nation-building and excellence with ethics. A recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, he took forward the great Tata legacy and gave it a more impressive global presence. He inspired seasoned professionals and young students alike. His contribution to philanthropy and charity is invaluable. I convey my condolences to his family, the entire team of the Tata Group, and his admirers across the globe."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while sharing a picture of himself with the late industrialist, wrote on X, "Shri Ratan Tata Ji 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 endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to making our society better."

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics, shared a picture of herself with the Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata on X and wrote, "This is a picture I will cherish forever. Such a great man and a great mind. Blessed to have known him. Om Shanthi."

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, said, "It is a very sad day for India and India Inc. Ratan Tata's passing away is a big loss, not just to the Tata Group, but to every Indian. 

At a personal level, the passing of Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief as I lost a dear friend. Each of my numerous interactions with him left me inspired, and energised and enhanced my respect for the nobility of his character and the fine human values he embodied.

Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and a philanthropist who always strove for society's greater good."

Harsh Goenka, the chairman of Mumbai-headquartered RPG Enterprises, wrote, "The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership, and philanthropy who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories. R.I.P". 

Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, wrote, "India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India's path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader; he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti."

Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said, "Over the decades, generations of my family and I have had close ties with the institution of Tata. Ratan Tata epitomised the finest ideals of the storied Tata Group."

Through his career and actions, Tata "unfailingly demonstrated that business, at its best, is both a vehicle for economic strength and a catalyst for societal progress.".

"His decisions have impacted lives and industries far beyond financial metrics. His legacy will inspire future generations of Indians to pursue success with integrity. India and India Inc have lost a true visionary," Birla said.

Dr. Arokiaswamy Velumani, the founder of Thyrocare Technologies, a chain of diagnostic and preventive care laboratories, too, paid his tribute to the beloved industrialist. 

Sanjiv Bajaj, CMD at Bajaj Finserv, said, "A leading light of India, Ratan Tata was known as much for his humility as his bold business strategies. He represented a handful of industrialists who helped India break out into the international arena very early on. Even in his advanced years, he continued to inspire and support young entrepreneurs! His spirit lives amongst the many he touched."