Ratan Tata served as the chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and then held the position of interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017.
Ratan Tata lived up to his name - he was a true 'ratan' (gem) and also remained committed to the values of the 'Tata' family. Having said that, he never took his family's wealth or reputation for granted. Instead, he worked hard and carved out his own niche, leaving behind a legacy that will forever remain untouched. As N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, said in a statement announcing his (Ratan) death a few months ago, "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."
To mark the 87th birth anniversary of Ratan Tata, let's have a look at some of his major achievements that may inspire all the dreamers.
When Ratan Tata became the chairman of the Tata Group (in 1991, after J. R. D. Tata stepped down), the conglomerate lacked a proper structure and was focused predominantly on the Indian market. He recognized the need to go global and hence restructured it entirely. He prioritized innovation over following conventions and delegated many responsibilities to the younger people. Also, he implemented various policies for the purpose.
In 2000, he had Tata Tea acquire Tetley for $430 million, marking a major expansion for the company in the international arena. Later, in 2008, he had Tata Motors acquire Jaguar Land Rover for $2.3 billion, describing it as a 'momentous time'. These acquisitions helped the conglomerate emerge as a leading player on the global stage.
Notably, he also had Tata Steel acquire Corus in 2007, which, however, didn't turn out similarly successful.
Under his leadership, Tata Group's revenue grew over 40 times, and profits - according to some reports - over 50 times.
Among Tata's major achievements is undoubtedly his role in taking TCS - the Tata Consultancy Services - to humongous heights.
It was during the 1990s (when IT was still in its early stage in India) that he recognized the potential of the industry. Again, he emphasized innovation, which became the strength of the company. And he invested heavily in the workforce and all the emerging technologies, making it at par with the global standard. Moreover, he had it acquire several international companies (such as CMC Limited in 2001), expanding its presence on the global stage.
Under his leadership, TCS went public in 2004, becoming the first $1 billion IPO by a private-sector company in India. In 2021, it recorded a market capitalization of US$200 billion, making it the first Indian IT company to achieve this valuation. Today, it is the second-largest Indian company by market capitalization and operates in 150 locations across 46 countries.
The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/foYsathgmt
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 9, 2024
(Credit: Harsh Goenka)
Well, Ratan Tata achieved so much that it could go on forever. Other points may include how he revolutionized the automobile industry, or how he made Tata Group a part of India's identity. And of course, his contributions to society are unmatched in the truest sense of the term. But beyond all of this, his biggest achievement was becoming a symbol of inspiration for countless individuals from across the world. His legacy inspires us to believe in ourselves, take risks, and make a difference - this, without an iota of doubt, keeps him immortal in our hearts.
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