Mumbai – Ratan Naval Tata, the Honorary Chairman of Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86. He was undergoing treatment at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to age-related health issues. The news of his demise was announced late on Wednesday night.
Just two days before his death, Ratan Tata had addressed concerns about his health through a social media post, stating that he was fine and had gone to the hospital only for a routine check-up.
Ratan Tata Passes Away at 86
Ratan Tata, known for his visionary leadership, was awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008. Earlier, in 2000, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan. Under his guidance, Tata Group reached new heights and expanded its global presence.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran expressed his grief, saying, “We bid farewell to Ratan Tata with immense sorrow. For the Tata Group, he was more than just a Chairman. For me, he was a mentor, guide, and friend.”
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences, describing Ratan Tata as “a visionary business leader, compassionate soul, and an extraordinary person who provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Tata “a man of vision who made a lasting impact on both business and philanthropy.”
Other business leaders like Gautam Adani, Anand Mahindra, and global figures such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai also mourned his passing. Adani stated, “India has lost a great and visionary leader who redefined modern India’s business path.”
On October 7, some media reports suggested that Ratan Tata was admitted to the ICU due to a significant drop in his blood pressure. To address the rumors, Ratan Tata posted on social media, saying, “I am fine and visited the hospital for a routine check-up due to old age. There is nothing to worry about.”
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, and was the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of Tata Group. He became the Chairman of the Tata Group in 1990 and led the conglomerate until 2012. He briefly served as interim Chairman from October 2016 to February 2017. Throughout his leadership, Tata Group saw tremendous growth and expanded its global footprint by acquiring notable brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Air India.
Ratan Tata’s leadership was marked by his vision to take the group to new heights, while always keeping ethical values at the core. He believed in nation-building and actively supported philanthropic activities through Tata Trusts, which contribute to health, education, art, and culture.
The Tata Group, founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, is India’s largest multinational company, with over 30 companies operating in more than 100 countries. Tata Sons, the principal investment holding company, owns 66% of its equity share capital through charitable trusts, which work towards causes like education, healthcare, and livelihood generation.
In 2023-24, the total revenue of all Tata companies amounted to ₹13.86 lakh crore, and the group employed over 1 million people globally. Tata’s products and services have become an integral part of Indian households, from Tata Tea in the morning to Tata Steel-made products throughout the day.
