Ratan Tata: The Jewel of India
Ratan Tata, the visionary who built industrial India, left this world at the age of 86, securing his place among India's foremost architects. Tata Group and Ratan Tata stand apart from other corporate entities, not only in India but globally, due to their emphasis on dignity, corporate responsibility, and compassion. Though Tata's industrial empire stretches from salt to aviation, the company and its leaders have always prioritized social responsibility, making them an exemplary model.
During his 21-year tenure as chairman, Ratan Tata played a pivotal role in transforming Tata Group into a global conglomerate. Under his leadership, Tata Group's revenue multiplied by 40 times, and profits by 50 times. Tata's popularity and admiration in India stem from the company's commitment to human values and ethical principles. No other corporate group has upheld social responsibility like Tata. After taking over from J.R.D. Tata in 1991, Ratan Tata served until 2012, at which point he was succeeded by Cyrus Mistry. However, when Mistry deviated from Tata's stated policies and value-driven approach in favor of profit, Ratan Tata returned as interim chairman in 2016 to realign the company with its founding principles.
Unmarried and dedicated equally to business and philanthropy, Ratan Tata prioritized human considerations in every endeavor. This unique trait was evident in all the initiatives he started, focusing especially on social responsibility in his investments in startups. His support for Goodfellows, a startup providing assistance to senior citizens, and DogSpot, which supplies pet products, reflects this approach. To make cars accessible to the common man, he introduced the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, and also launched an affordable water purifier for the masses.
When the 2008 Mumbai attacks ravaged part of the Taj Hotel, claiming the lives of about 15 employees, Ratan Tata emerged as a responsible and compassionate leader. He personally visited the Taj Hotel in the aftermath, offering solidarity and forming a crisis management team to provide immediate assistance. He treated the families of the deceased with the same care as his own family, providing them with emotional and financial support, compensation, pensions, scholarships for children, and job search assistance for surviving family members. Even when the hotel underwent renovations, Tata ensured that no employee was laid off and that they received their salaries on time.
The Taj Hotel holds a special place in Tata’s history and Indian independence. Under British rule, foreign nationals were given exclusive dining rights in elite hotels, and Jamshedji Tata, Ratan Tata's grandfather, faced discrimination when denied entry to Watson's Hotel. In response, he founded the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in 1903, marking it as a landmark of Indian pride and resistance.
When Tata Group ventured into the automobile industry in 1991, there were initial setbacks, especially with passenger vehicles causing financial losses. Ratan Tata even attempted a partnership with Ford, only to be met with disrespect from Bill Ford. However, when Ford faced financial difficulties in 2000, Tata returned the favor by acquiring their Jaguar Land Rover subsidiary. Additionally, Tata took over Ford’s factory in Gujarat, eventually phasing out their operations in India. Today, Tata vehicles, developed locally, compete in quality and hold a leading market position.
One of Ratan Tata’s greatest achievements was elevating Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) into an IT powerhouse. While J.R.D. Tata's era was defined by Tata Steel, today, TCS stands as Tata Group's flagship. Tata Airlines, founded by J.R.D. in 1932, began commercial operations in 1940, becoming Air India Limited in 1946, only to be nationalized by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1953. Ratan Tata brought Air India back into Tata’s fold in 2022, a moment of personal satisfaction and achievement.
Today, Ratan Tata has invested in numerous companies globally, while Tata Group continues its nonprofit work in cancer care, educational scholarships, and partnerships with world-class educational institutions, prioritizing impact over profit. Ratan Tata’s foresight and dedication to humanity have earned him numerous accolades, both national and international.
“When life’s highs and lows drive us forward, it’s crucial. Even in an ECG, a straight line signifies no life,” Ratan Tata once said, emphasizing the simplicity of human existence beyond corporate success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words capture Tata’s legacy: "A visionary entrepreneur, an extraordinary man who cared for all. He provided strong leadership to India’s prestigious industrial chain. The nation is indebted to him for his contributions." Ratan Tata’s life exemplified these sentiments.
(The author is the former president of FOKANA and the founding president of NAMAM (USA))