From a torchbearer to transformer, Ratan Tata was a shepherd and a sentinel to the Tata Group. Ratan Tata, the chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and recipient of India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He had been undergoing routine medical investigations related to his age and existing health condition which later worsened, leading to his admission to intensive care.
To the legend whose kindness and vision touched millions —a man who loved and inspired with all his heart—Ratan Tata's demise is a heartbreaking loss not just for our country, but for the entire world. His integrity and ethical leadership has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra has declared a day of mourning in the state to pay tribute to the industrialist, Ratan Tata. As his last rites will take place later today, so for the time being his mortal remains is being kept in the lawns of National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), in South Mumbai from 10 am to 4 pm.
Ratan Tata received India's third highest civilian honour, Padma Bushan in 2000 and the second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan in 2008. He joined Tata in 1961 by starting on the shop floor of Tata Steel. In 1991, he succeeded J.R.D. Tata as Chairman of Tata Sons upon the latter’s retirement. During his tenure, the Tata Group made significant acquisitions, including Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, transforming the company from a largely India-centric enterprise into a global business.
Shantanu Naidu bids farewell to the industrialist
Tata Trust's youngest general manager and Ratan Tata's long-serving assistant, Shantanu Naidu, paid tribute to the late business icon. Sharing a heartfelt post on his LinkedIn, 30-year old Shantanu expressed the deep void left by Ratan Tata's demise and also reflected on his close friendship with the national icon.
Alongside sharing a throwback photo of the two together, Shantanu shared a post writing, "The hole that this friendship has now left with me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill. Grief is the price to pay for love. Goodbye, my dear lighthouse."
The unique friendship between Shantanu Naidu and Ratan Tata blossomed through their shared affection for animals. They first connected in 2014 when Shantanu developed reflective collars to protect stray dogs from night time traffic accidents. Ratan Tata recognized his efforts and invited Naidu to join his team.
