Honouring the legacy of a visionary: Mr Ratan Tata

Late Mr Ratan Tata, a towering figure in Indian industry and an iconic visionary, has left an indelible mark on the nation’s business and hospitality landscape.

As Chairman of the Tata Group, he spearheaded transformative initiatives that elevated Indian enterprises to a global stage, blending innovation, excellence and integrity. Beyond business, Mr Tata’s deep-rooted commitment to philanthropy and sustainable growth led to impactful social initiatives that uplifted communities and improved countless lives. A humble leader and a beacon of inspiration, he remained dedicated to nation-building and fostering inclusive development.

As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a legacy of compassionate leadership and visionary achievements that will continue to inspire future generations, shaping India’s growth for years to come. His life’s work stands as a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership, reminding us all of the profound difference one individual can make.

He touched the lives of millions: KB Kachru

Finding the right words to pay tribute to someone as extraordinary as Mr Ratan Tata is no easy task. He was a man whose impact transcended business and industry, touching the lives of millions with his humility, selflessness, and grace. It’s rare to encounter a leader of his stature who embodied such modesty, despite his immense achievements. I had the good fortune of meeting Mr Tata on several occasions, and each time, I was struck by his genuine warmth and the encouragement he offered, particularly to younger professionals. He made everyone feel seen, heard, and valued—a rare quality for someone of his standing. His ability to remain understated, no matter the situation, is something I have come to admire deeply and strive to emulate.

For me, and for countless others, Mr Tata represented a unique combination of empathy, generosity, and humility. One moment that stands out is when we discussed the future of Indian hospitality at an industry gathering. What struck me was how he didn’t focus solely on the business aspects; instead, he posed a simple but profound question - how could our work improve the lives of the people within our teams and the communities we serve? His perspective extended far beyond numbers and growth; it was about making a meaningful impact, ensuring that success didn’t just translate into financial gain but also into positive change for those around us. That question has stayed with me ever since, resonating as a reminder of the true purpose behind our efforts in this industry.

As we now bid farewell to Mr Tata, I am filled with a sense of gratitude for the  many lessons he imparted both directly  and indirectly. His legacy is not just one of  business acumen or industry milestones  but of compassion, vision, and a deep understanding of humanity. Mr Tata’s life and work will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals, reminding us all that the most enduring impact comes from serving others with humility and a genuine sense of purpose. It is this legacy, more than anything else, that we will carry forward, and I feel privileged to have witnessed even a small part of it.

My conversations with Mr Ratan Tata: Aman Nath

During the course of authoring the Tata Centenary book, author-hotelier-architectural restorer Aman Nath interacted very closely with Mr Ratan Tata. Here are a few unusual conversations that he recalls which give us all some insights into the man that he was…

It was the time when plans were in the offing to develop the Nano. I expressed my fears about the prospect of every two-wheeler on the road being replaced by a small, affordable car– on our already overcrowded roads. This seemed catastrophic to me. Mr Tata said, “When, at a red light, you see a family getting drenched on a motorcycle, how do you feel? Doesn’t everybody have the right to travel in a car? Making better, wider roads is not my mandate.”

I had researched and written about a member of the Tata finance team who had committed suicide, after he was found guilty of some scandalous irregularities. The Tata team suggested that I avoid mentioning this in my book. But when I reasoned with Mr Tata that this incident actually only suggested that their values were set so high that a compromise was close to a lethal sin. It was, in fact, equivalent to the act of hara-kiri, an honourable exit to save personal disgrace, he immediately said that the point was well taken and the book should tell the truth.

Once, when the Maharashtra government had not yet renewed the Tata Power contract to supply electricity to the city of Bombay (now Mumbai), they had simply let the matter pass. A week before the city was threatened to been plunged into darkness, an angry Power Minister George Fernandez, summoned Naval Tata and asked, “Why have you not renewed this contract?” Naval Tata smiled and gestured by shuffling his fingers that someone had demanded a bribe for renewing this. The Tata team was embarrassed that if this information was published, it could embarrass their company with the government. But I reasoned that this had already been published in a book. And they were other similar delicate matters of which I had written. Mr Ratan Tata’s reaction was simply to say, “It is Aman‘s book, let him take the call.” Such trust and total empowerment was rare, especially in a commissioned book usually expected to be a hagiography.

Finally, when the book, Horizons - the Tata India Century, was released, Dr Irani called me to say, “What have you made of us?” I thought I had committed some major blunder but he continued, “Our board is absolutely amazed with this wonder that you have created for us!” I was deeply relieved, “How modest can the Tatas be?”, I remember asking him over the phone. This humility is the legacy and hallmark of Mr Ratan Tata, right from the top to the bottom.

Later, Mr Tata, who had by then presented this book to many of the heads of the biggest global corporations, wrote about Horizons, in a book published by a friend: “Many have called it the best corporate book they have seen – and I certainly don’t have any in my library that can be at this publication.”

When I met Mr Tata for the last time, he walked-in very frail and shuffling his feet. He looked up and said, “Look what has become of me?” So, I replied, “Well, I suppose we all have to grow old.” To which he responded, “No, it’s the litigation.”

I really believed that lawyers would never be able to solve these problems entirely and that Mrs Patsy Mistry and Mr Tata should have met quietly. I was seeing her in four days over a lunch and she too was very frail. As the biographer of the Tata and Mistry families, in two fat tomes, I did believe that they could evoke enough good will to make this a great story for the future.

I messaged Dilnaz Gilder, the assistant of Mr Tata, to tell me her thoughts or speak to Mr Tata but she responded saying that he was in the hospital. The same evening, he was gone forever.

Mrs Mistry’s grudge had been that Ratan had not come to mourn for her husband’s bereavement, even though she had known him as a child. I reasoned with her that they were actively in court! But with the passing away of Cyrus Mistry, things could hardly have got better, because the silences grew larger. He had said to me in a message that eventually ‘destiny will find its way’. My personal effort was to see that both the families come to an amicable agreement so that this page of history that will pass into posterity should not be black but white. I have still not given up hope.

His humility left an indelible impression on me: Rahul Bhatia

I had the occasion to engage with Mr Ratan Tata when I returned from college in1985 and discussed the opportunity of a three-way collaboration on manufacturing digital telephone switches (exchanges) between the TATA Group, Nortel (then known as Northern Telecom) and the earlier avatar of InterGlobe. While the initiative didn’t come to fruition, Mr Tata’s refreshing openness and disarming humility left an indelible impression on me.

As we all know, Mr Tata had a deep passion for flying machines and I was only too pleased to see Air India return to where it truly belonged. While I am much too small a man to say this, in tribute to Mr Tata’s love for flight and his vision for the future of Indian Aviation, IndiGo will, ever so modestly, walk alongside Air India to secure India’s rightful seat at the centre stage of Global Aviation.