On Thursday, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh paid heartfelt tribute to Ratan Tata, lauding him as a “gentle colossus” of India’s corporate world. Ramesh emphasized that Tata, through his visionary leadership, played a pivotal role in transforming the Tata conglomerate to meet the demands of a post-1991 liberalized India.
Ratan Naval Tata, former Chairman of the Tata Group, passed away late Wednesday night at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. Tata, who had been in intensive care since Monday, breathed his last at 11:30 p.m. He was 86 years old. A recipient of India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, Ratan Tata’s death marks the end of an era in India’s business world.
Reflecting on Tata’s enduring legacy, Jairam Ramesh, Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications, expressed admiration for the way Tata navigated the corporate empire. “For four decades, Ratan Tata was the gentle colossus of India’s corporate world who made the Tata conglomerate ready for a post-1991 India,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Visionary Leadership
Tata’s leadership of the Tata Group spanned nearly four decades, during which he faced monumental challenges, including succeeding the legendary JRD Tata. “It was not easy because he was surrounded by legends themselves when he succeeded JRD Tata, but he prevailed by his vision, resolve, and grit,” Ramesh stated. Under Tata’s stewardship, the group expanded globally and diversified its portfolio, becoming a prominent player in industries ranging from steel to telecommunications.
Ramesh highlighted how Tata prepared the company for a transformed Indian economy following the liberalization of the 1990s. Post-1991 reforms, which opened India to global markets, required businesses to adapt quickly, and Ratan Tata’s leadership was instrumental in positioning the Tata Group to take advantage of these opportunities. “He made the Tata conglomerate future-ready in an India that was embracing globalization and economic liberalization,” Ramesh added.
More than a Business Leader
Though widely known for his business acumen, Ratan Tata was much more than just a corporate leader. Ramesh emphasized that Tata was also a philanthropist, continuing the long-standing tradition of the Tata family. “He was a philanthropist in the finest traditions set by the great JN Tata himself at the turn of the century and carried forward magnificently by his successors,” Ramesh said.
The Tata family’s legacy of philanthropy is deeply rooted in Indian society, and Ratan Tata upheld this tradition with significant contributions in fields such as healthcare, education, and rural development. His initiatives reflected a commitment to improving the lives of millions of Indians, ensuring that the wealth generated by the conglomerate was shared with society at large.
Personal Reflections
Jairam Ramesh also shared a personal anecdote about his long association with Ratan Tata. “I first got to know Ratan Tata well in September 1985 when I was in the Ministry of Industry, and he had come with a team to present a 20-year strategic plan for the Tata Group,” Ramesh recalled. This meeting was part of then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for India’s industrial policy, and Ramesh noted that it was a defining moment in the country’s corporate planning.
Ramesh also fondly recounted how Tata was amused to learn that Ramesh’s education abroad had been partly funded by the JN Tata Loan Scholarship. “Ratan was tickled to know that my study abroad in the mid-1970s was funded in part by the JN Tata Loan Scholarship and never let me forget that,” he said.
Tata’s personal qualities also left a lasting impression on Ramesh. “Ratan Tata was soft-spoken and self-effacing but was a man of firm convictions. He always appeared serious, but he also had a fine sense of fun and humour,” he noted. Ramesh’s reflections painted a picture of a man who was both humble and resolute, a leader who balanced his professional responsibilities with grace and humanity.
More Read
Legacy of Values
As Ratan Tata’s passing reverberates across India, his contributions to the country’s economic and social landscape are being widely remembered. Ramesh encapsulated the deep respect with which Tata is held, saying, “He will forever remain a very respected and celebrated name in India’s economic history, especially for the values he exemplified and championed.”
Tata’s leadership extended beyond business success; he stood for integrity, humility, and a commitment to societal well-being. His tenure at the helm of the Tata Group is often seen as a model of ethical leadership, wherein business growth was consistently aligned with social responsibility.
In a time when India’s corporate sector is increasingly globalized, Ratan Tata’s balanced approach to capitalism—combining profit-making with philanthropy—remains a shining example. His contributions will not only be remembered for expanding India’s industrial footprint but also for his tireless efforts to make India a better place for all its citizens.
As India mourns the loss of one of its most revered business leaders, the legacy of Ratan Tata will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders across the world.
