The late industrialist Ratan Tata
Reuters
Mumbai: He was one of the world’s most influential industrialists, yet he never appeared on any list of billionaires. He controlled over 30 companies that operated in over 100 countries across six continents, yet lived an unpretentious life.
Ratan Naval Tata, who died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86, enjoyed a unique status -- a corporate titan who was considered a ‘secular living saint’, with a reputation for decency and integrity.
Tata was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital on Monday morning because of age-related ailments. But his health deteriorated on Wednesday and he was admitted to the ICU, where he passed away.
Tata joined the family firm after acquiring a BS in architecture from Cornell University in 1962. He initially worked on the shop floor, gaining experience in a number of Tata Group businesses before being named director-in-charge of one of them, the National Radio and Electronics Co in 1971.
Taking charge
He became chairman of Tata Industries a decade later and in 1991, took over as the chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle, JRD. The passing of the baton came just as India embarked on a journey of radical reforms, opening up its economy to the world.
He was the chairman of Tata Sons, the group’s main holding company, for more than two decades during which the conglomerate aggressively sought to expand.
Obituary posted by Ratan Tata's family.
Credit: DH/Mrityunjay Bose
The philanthropist
Along with being one of India’s most successful business tycoons, he is also known for his philanthropic activities. In the 1970s, he initiated The Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College project, laying the foundation of one of India’s premier healthcare institutions.
After his appointment as the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991, Tata’s philanthropic efforts gained more momentum. He actively steered the Tata Trusts, established by his great-grandfather Jamsetji, towards addressing vital social needs and set up institutes of excellence like the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and funded educational initiatives across India.
One wet monsoon evening not many moons ago, dog-lover Tata had decreed that any strays outside the conglomerate’s HQ in downtown Mumbai be allowed shelter. Some never left, but their benefactor is no more.
A licensed pilot who would occasionally fly the company plane, Ratan Tata never married and was known for his quiet demeanour and relatively modest lifestyle.
Pet lover and aviation enthusiast
Besides being India’s leading industrialist-philanthropist, Ratan Tata was also a pet lover and aviation enthusiast.
He also was committed to the cause of senior citizens. Tata’s vision for a super speciality hospital for pets, fructified earlier this year, when the Small Animal Hospital at Mahalaxmi in the heart of Mumbai was inaugurated.
“Pets are our family and their lives matter to every pet parent. When I looked around and saw the lack of infrastructure for pets in India, it made me wonder why in such a large country with a significant pet population we cannot have a facility that can save lives and make pet lives better,” said Tata before the hospital of its kind was commissioned.
After its recent renovation, the Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group, now has a kennel for stray dogs.
Tata backed a startup - Goodfellows was founded by Shantanu Naidu - that offered companionship to senior citizens as a service.
A skilled pilot, Tata was the first Indian to pilot the F-16 Falcon in 2007 at the age of 69.
He also had a collection of cars including Ferrari California, Cadillac XLR, Land Rover Freelander, Chrysler Sebring, Honda Civic, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes Benz 500 SL, Jaguar F-Type, Jaguar XF-R.
(With agency inputs)