Jharkhand
First Death Anniversary of Ratan Tata
- 10 Oct 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
On the first death anniversary of Ratan Tata, former Chairman of Tata Sons, the Tata Motors Workers Union in Jamshedpur paid floral tributes to the legendary industrialist.
Key Facts About Ratan Tata
- About:
- He was a respected Indian businessman and former chairman of Tata Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates.
- He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
- He graduated in architecture from Cornell University before returning to India in 1962 to join the Tata Group, founded by his great-grandfather, Jamsetji Tata.
- He was a licensed pilot, known for his quiet demeanour, relatively modest lifestyle and philanthropic initiatives.
- Achievements:
- Ratan Tata played a key role in transforming Tata Group into a global powerhouse, with ventures spanning industries such as steel, automobiles, software, and telecommunications.
- Early in his career, he worked with several Tata companies, including Tata Motors (formerly Telco) and Tata Steel, and revitalised the National Radio & Electronics Company.
- In 1991, he succeeded J.R.D. Tata as chairman of Tata Group.
- He implemented significant organizational reforms such as enforcing retirement ages and promoting young talent to leadership roles.
- He was also awarded with:
- Assam Baibhav by Government of Assam in 2021.
- Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia by King Charles III in 2023.
- Honorary Doctor of Science by IIT Bombay in 2008
- Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014
- Honorary Citizen Award by Government of Singapore in 2008.
- Contributions:
- Tata set up Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) public in 2004, capitalising on the IT boom.
- His leadership marked significant international acquisitions, including:
- The purchase of Tetley Tea in 2000.
- Acquisition of VSNL (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited) in 2002.
- The acquisition of Corus Steel in 2007, one of the largest takeovers by an Indian company.
- The acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford in 2008.
- Tata played a key role in Tata Group's acquisition of Air India from the government in January 2022.
