When legendary industrialist Ratan Tata was felicitated with the first ever ‘Udyog Ratna’ laurel by the Maharashtra government in August 2023, a thought occurred to many. They felt that Tata actually deserved to be decorated with the Bharat Ratna. Chief minister Eknath Shinde and DCMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar went to the industrialist’s home in South Mumbai to confer the honour. Shinde then encapsulated the feelings of all Indians. He said, “Tata means trust.”
What sets Ratan Tata apart from other business leaders of his generation is his simplicity but steely determination and concern for the deprived. While toiling to strengthen the Tata Group’s market footprint, he never forgot his social responsibility, which he had had accepted voluntarily.
Following the glorious tradition of earlier Tata family heads, he never advertised his unbelievable achievements and made it a point to keep away from the glare of publicity. He rarely appeared in any gala functions and Page-3 events. While piloting a huge industrial empire, Tata unfailingly discharged his philosophical self-imposed obligations.
Enough has been written and spoken about Tata’s visionary leadership. He became a darling of the young generation on account of the calculated risks he took and translated his adventures into successful ventures. When he acquired the Jaguar, a leading global brand, there was no dearth of doubting souls. But eventually, he proved that his instincts were correct. Within no time, the Tata Group became a global player. Tata’s leadership virtues were amply exhibited in the aftermath of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks by Pakistani terrorists. He not only cared for the Taj Hotel personnel but extended a helping hand to rehabilitate the hawkers in the vicinity. A live focus on social causes is the hallmark of the Tata Group for over a century. Ratan Tata has enriched that tradition.
Ratan Tata’s childhood was unenviable. It had no connection with his future, especially the world of business and industry. Born on 28 December 1937 in Surat, a parental separation took place when he was ten years old. Ratan and brother Jimmy were then looked after by their grandmother, Navajbai. After schooling in Mumbai, Tata got admitted into Cornell University in the US and received an architecture degree in 1959. Later, he did an advanced management course from Harvard Business School.
During his US stay, Tata learned flying. Short of money, he did various menial jobs. For a while, he worked in a restaurant. While he was planning to get married in the US, a phone call from Mumbai changed his life. He returned after hearing about his grandmother’s illness. In India, he started working for IBM. The family patriarch and chairman of the Tata Group, JRD Tata, asked him to work within the Tata Group. He gained experienced of working for six months in Tata Motors and Tata Steel in 1963. After his brief stays in Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors and Tata Steel, Tata was appointed as director in charge of National Radio & Electronics Company (NELCO), which had a joint venture with Japan’s Mitsubishi Group. In 1974, Tata joined the main centre of activity, Tata Sons, as a director.
Tata finally took over as chairman of the Tata Group in 1991 when JRD decided to step down. The transition was marred by the usual bevy of issues common in any corporate entity at the time of change of captaincy. There were some heavyweights desirous of occupying the position. One point held against Tata was his lack of overall inexperience to take the reins of such a huge empire. Not deterred and confident in his family member’s ability, JRD Tata went ahead with his plans. Within a short time, Ratan Tata proved that he was a right candidate for the right post. He literally exported the Tata brand in the international arena. India’s biggest western acquisition – the Jaguar Land Rover takeover, became a sensational development. The Tata Group was soon among the largest employers in the UK.
Though Tata will be remembered for many things, his pet concept of an affordable car at one lakh rupees was a real dream. It did arrive in the market as the world’s cheapest car, Tata Nano, but was soon embroiled in an undesirable controversy due to land acquisition for its Singur plant in West Bengal. The Nano project was shifted to Gujarat but remained unsuccessful.
After working as chairman of Tata Sons for over two decades, Tata had swelled the group revenue in multiples of billions. He decided to hand over the chairmanship to Cyrus Mistry in 2011-12 so that he could retire peacefully. But that was not to happen. A seasoned boardroom player, Tata once again flexed his muscles when Mistry fell out with the Tata Group’s philosophy and ethics on many business decisions this resulted into an ugly legal battle, the first of its kind in the family’s history. Mistry was finally removed as chairman of Tata Sons and the Tata Group, too. Rattan Tata again donned the mantle, but for a brief while. The baton is now held by Natarajan Chandrasekaran. Since then, Tata has kept away from any active role in the business. He appeared in news occasionally owing to his numerous social activities.
There are many billionaires in India. So, what is so special about Ratan Tata? It is his personality. He was never rude to anyone. He never ignored a greeting. His soft corner for the needy and the animals makes Tata stand above many business magnets, who wallow in publicity and celebrations but the overall society’s perception about them is mostly not so favourable. Education, healthcare and charity are the three pillars of the Tata Group on which it has emerged as a champion of social causes. Ratan Tata had lived his life according to these noble tenets.
It is very rare for businessmen in India not to dabble in politics, directly or secretly. Ratan Tata kept away from all such shenanigans. The only negative mark about his glorious life is the appointment of a questionable lady public relations person for some time. Fortunately, the stigma proved short lived. Despite this incident, his image has remained clean. This is no mean achievement. Tata successfully expanded the Group business by establishing a sentimental relationship with his workers, vendors, distributors and most importantly, with his countless customers. Tata means quality, they started saying with hesitation. Tata was the recipient of a number of awards and honours.
While chairing the Tata Group or after complete retirement, Tata’s personal investments were made with a philanthropic touch. He was fond of investing in start-ups. His other passion was to provide a soothing gesture for the elderly, especially if unsupported. Tata must have fought many battles, some of them within the Group, some from the competition and so many against the bureaucracy. But he never grieved openly, managed to retain his winning spree and stood tall as not just an industrialist but as a family senior, caring for all. Through the Group’s various companies and trusts, millions of dollars have been donated to various deserving academic institutions around the world, as scholarships of as endowments. During the Covid pandemic, the Group contributed crores of rupees for relief works.
Ford, Carnegie or Rockefeller are known around the world for their social contributions. On the other hand, not a single name of any Tata is seen in the list of top global philanthropists. This is because Tata’s donate generously on behalf of the Group, never taking any personal credit. In short, this embodies the core philosophy of the Tata Group and Ratan Tata.
Mumbai and Maharashtra have a special relationship with Tata’s. It will continue growing.
Ratan Tata will be remembered for a long time !
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
