The entire nation is in deep sorrow over the news of Mr. Ratan Tata’s passing at the age of 86.
He was a visionary industrialist and one of India’s most respected business leaders.
Let us remember the remarkable and lesser-known facts about Mr. Tata that highlight his extraordinary contributions and character.
Ratan Tata, born December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, is the great-grandson of Tata Group founder Jamshedji Tata.
After his parents separated in 1948, he was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata.
Ratan Tata never married, despite coming close four times.
He once fell in love while working in Los Angeles, but the girl's parents wouldn’t let her move to India due to the 1962 Indo-China War.
He began his career in 1961 at Tata Steel, starting from the bottom and gaining valuable experience.
Ratan Tata became chairman of the Tata Group in 1991 and led it until 2012.
He restructured the group during India's economic liberalization and expanded brands like Tata Nano and Tata Indica.
He oversaw major acquisitions, including Tetley by Tata Tea and Jaguar Land Rover by Tata Motors in 2004.
In 2009, he launched the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car at Rs 1 lakh with an aim at the middle-class consumers.
After retirement, he was named chairman emeritus of several Tata companies.