Hundreds of mourners, including politicians, corporate leaders, and celebrities, gathered in Mumbai on Thursday to bid farewell to one of India’s most revered business magnates, Ratan Tata, who passed away at the age of 86. Known for his exceptional business acumen, philanthropy, and modest lifestyle, Tata was the chairman of the Tata Group for over two decades, leading the conglomerate to reach a revenue of $165 billion in 2023-24.
Although he had stepped down from the day-to-day operations of Tata Sons in recent years, Ratan Tata continued to be a guiding force behind the group’s strategic decisions. According to a senior company executive, Tata Sons’ leadership often sought his counsel for major decisions. His death marks the end of an era for Indian industry and philanthropy, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.
U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, expressed his condolences on social media, saying, “India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart.” Google CEO Sundar Pichai also paid tribute, highlighting Tata’s role in shaping modern business leadership in India and his deep commitment to improving the country.
Ratan Tata’s body, draped in the Indian national flag, was placed at a cultural center in Mumbai, where admirers from all walks of life gathered to pay their respects. His funeral will be held later in the day with full state honors. Notable figures, including India’s central bank governor Shaktikanta Das, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, and Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, were among the first to arrive to honor the memory of the man who received India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan.
Tata, a licensed pilot who sometimes flew the company’s plane, was a private individual known for his simple lifestyle. He never married and dedicated much of his life to philanthropy. Cornell University, his alma mater, remembered Tata as their most generous international donor, stating on X, “We will remember his legacy of transformative giving to Cornell.”
Ratan Tata’s passing has left an indelible mark on the Indian business community and beyond, with his contributions to both industry and society shaping the future of generations to come.