In pics: A time capsule of Ratan Tata's illustrious life.

 

Ratan Tata died on Wednesday night at the age of 86. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai for the past few days.

Ratan Tata died at the age of 86 on Wednesday night.

In Short:

• Ratan Tata died aged 86 on Wednesday night after battling prolonged illness

• Honoured with many accolades, he was widely respected for his business acumen, integrity

• Ratan Tata's last social media post on Monday read 'thank you for thinking of me'

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India's biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, died aged 86 on Wednesday night. He had been undergoing treatment for prolonged illness at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for the last few days.

Ratan Tata came from a distinguished Parsi family.

"For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass," said Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement announcing his death.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 1962. 

As the man who led the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012, Ratan Tata's legacy is not just one of towering business achievements but one deeply rooted in the ethos of putting "India and Indians first."

Industrialist Ratan Tata sits in the cockpit of an F16 fighter plane during the Aero India 2011, India's biggest air show, at Yelahanka Air base in Bangalore. 

Born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, Ratan Tata came from a distinguished Parsi family.

Industrialist Ratan Tata also focussed on supporting sports at the grassroots level. (Photo: Jamshedpur FC)

Ratan Tata was the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 1962 and began his career in the family business shortly after.

Ratan Tata was awarded Padma Vibhushan by President Pratibha Patil in 2008.

He took over as chairman in 1991 during a challenging period for the group, which then had revenues of just $5.8 billion. Under his stewardship, the company expanded its reach and diversified its interests, with revenues soaring to over $100 billion by 2011-12.

Ratan Tata with the first 'Tata Indica' car launched in 1998.

Tata Indica was launched by Tata Motors in 1998 and was the first Indian hatchback with a diesel engine. It was the first passenger hatchback by Tata Motors. The models were also exported to European and African countries from late 2004. The car was discontinued in April 2018.

Ratan Tata with Narendra Modi, the then Gujarat Chief Minister, during the launch of Nano car.

Perhaps no other project better symbolized Ratan Tata's commitment to India than the Tata Nano, launched in 2008. His vision was to create the world's cheapest car, priced at Rs 1 lakh, to provide affordable mobility for the Indian middle class.

Tata acquired Land Rover in 2008.

Throughout his tenure, Ratan Tata was instrumental in acquiring international companies, including Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel, and established Tata Group as a prominent player in sectors such as steel, automobiles, telecommunications, and information technology.

Honoured with numerous accolades, including the nation’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Ratan Tata was widely respected for his business acumen and unwavering integrity.

Published By: Shishir