Sohini R. Chaudhuri
India
October 16, 2024
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SUMMARY
"He was a great human being who demonstrated compassion ... for the poorer sections of society," to quote Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. The great human who dedicated his life of eighty six years to “compassionate capitalism” was Ratan Tata, one of the most popular business tycoons of the world and the former chairman of the Tata Group. Following his unfortunate passing away on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) at the age of 86 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, India, he became “the top trending topic on Google search” with over 5 million searches on Ratan Tata done in 15 hours with a massive surge of 1000 per cent (reported by Indian Express). Inheriting one of India's oldest conglomerates and then transforming it into a global empire, Ratan Tata opened doors for a string of eye-catching deals since he joined the Tata group as a leader. It might seem to be effortlessly simple, but it was not. In my article I pay tribute to this great visionary.
BACKGROUND
Introduction:
"He was a great human being who demonstrated compassion ... for the poorer sections of society," to quote Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. The great human who dedicated his life of eighty six years to “compassionate capitalism” was Ratan Tata, one of the most popular business tycoons of the world and the former chairman of the Tata Group. Following his unfortunate passing away on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) at the age of 86 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, India, he became “the top trending topic on Google search” with over 5 million searches on Ratan Tata done in 15 hours with a massive surge of 1000 per cent (reported by Indian Express). The Guardian writes, “He was famous for making large acquisitions, including buying the British tea firm Tetley in 2000 for $432m and the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007 for $13bn, which at the time was an unprecedented takeover of a foreign firm by an Indian company. Tata Motors then acquired two of Britain’s most recognisable car brands: British Jaguar and Land Rover, from Ford Motor Co.” He also played a significant role in improving primary healthcare in India.
The Indian Bruce Wayne:
Why is he still hailed as a great visionary icon by youth leaders across the globe? Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote on his social media account, “My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about the progress of Waymo and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better.”
Well, a teetotaler and a nonsmoker, Ratan Tata’s poised demeanor and stunning sobriety coupled with his philanthropic vision, endowed him with a quality very unique. Much like his name (in Sanskrit ratan means a precious jewel), he was radiant in the crowd of spoiled showboats. The six feet tall billionaire, dapper in his formal suit, while stepping out of his black Mercedes Benz E220 may have turned many heads albeit the low key business magnate chose to remain a bachelor, devoting his time completely to work. Bruce Wayne, alias Batman, the American philanthropist of Gotham city would perhaps be his closest doppelganger!
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A brief bio-note:
Inheriting one of India's oldest conglomerates and then transforming it into a global empire, Ratan Tata opened doors for a string of eye-catching deals since he joined the Tata group as a leader. It might seem to be effortlessly simple, but it was not. In fact for the most part of his early career he faced several challenges convincing his father and other senior members of the group. Ratan Tata’s calm demeanor and dignity in the face of flak marked his distinguished style. His unwavering determination to attain his philanthropic mission contributed to his immense success. The quiet, shy, afraid of public speaking child was born on December 28, 1937. His grandmother, Navajbai R Tata brought him and his younger brother, Jimmy, up in a baroque manor called Tata Palace in downtown Bombay, now Mumbai. For life was luxurious but strict. Lady Navajbai, a formidable matriarch, sent the kids to school in a Rolls-Royce and took care to instill a strong sense of integrity, humility and moral values in her grandchildren. Learning the piano and playing cricket were part of their daily routine as they kept a very small and intimate group of friends. He studied architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University, the United States, from 1955 to 1962. Flying, riding fast cars, scuba diving, his passion was diverse. “I left India when I was 15 for a decade. I would have to say that, as often happens between a father and a son, there was, perhaps, a divergence of views… [My father] hated confrontations. He was very good at negotiating settlements... Frequently, that settlement would involve a compromise, and he was all for ‘give and take’.” Ratan Tata reminisced. Although defying his father’s wish he studied architecture besides engineering, he accepted his job offer, left IBM and joined Tata industries in 1962, a journey that would soon pave the way for one of the greatest philanthropic leaders of the world. As a chairman after joining the Tata group in 1991, Mr. Tata, quoting from the official webpage of Tata group, “changed the group for the better in a more substantial manner than any of the luminaries under whose care the organisation evolved since its inception in 1868.”
Ratan Tata (right)
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REFERENCES
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