Ratan Tata, the revered industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, passed away last night in Mumbai at the age of 86. Tata, a figure of immense respect across industries, transformed the Tata Group during his tenure, leaving behind a legacy built on humility, vision, and unwavering integrity.
His leadership earned him admiration even from competitors, including Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy. “Why I found him to be unique among the businessmen is the fact that he was competent, humble, courteous, curious, concerned, and patriotic,” Murthy reflected. “On rare occasions when he disagreed, he was not disagreeable.”
Murthy fondly recalled Tata’s genuine nature and respect for everyone, regardless of age or stature. “Whether he was speaking to an admiring teanager, of which there are, of course, zillions in India, or to a much-respected senior business person, his sincerity, depth of knowledge, intense patriotism, and his legendary courtesy shone through effortlessly.”
When Narayana Murthy Invited Rata Tata at Infosys
Murthy shared a poignant anecdote about inviting Tata to inaugurate the Jamshedji Tata Room at the Infosys campus in 2004. Tata initially expressed surprise, pointing out the competitive relationship between Infosys and TCS, Murthy recounted. “He said, look, I find it somewhat unusual because TCS is your competitor. I said, no, Ratan, Jamshedji transcends all Indian companies. He was first a great patriot and then a businessman.”
As India mourns the loss of this iconic figure, thousands gathered at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai on Thursday to pay their respects. Tata was later given a ceremonial guard of honour at Worli Crematorium before being laid to rest at Mumbai’s Parsi Crematorium.
Tata, who helmed the sprawling salt-to-software conglomerate for over two decades, breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai at 11:30 pm on Wednesday. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, Tata had been under intensive care since Monday.
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