NEW DELHI: Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India's largest conglomerates Tata Group, has died at the age of 86 after a long illness. He was hospitalized due to his age and health problems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of Ratan Tata, calling him a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being.
“Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He ensured stable leadership of one of the oldest and most renowned business houses in India. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He was popular.” “I have honored many people thanks to his humility, kindness and unwavering commitment to the betterment of our society,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.
“One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan Tata Ji was his passion for dreaming big and giving back. “He has been at the forefront of championing causes such as education, healthcare, sanitation and animal welfare, to name a few,” he added.

Ratan Tata's legacy

Ratan Tata, who is also known for his charitable work, was chairman of the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the conglomerate founded by his great-grandfather over a century ago.
In 1996, Tata founded Tata Teleservices, the group's telecommunications arm, and in 2004 he led the IPO of Tata Consultancy Services, the group's IT business.
After stepping down as chairman in 2012, Tata retained the honorary title of chairman emeritus of several Tata companies, including Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.
He led the Tata Trusts, which played a crucial role in India's philanthropic landscape. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Tata received two of India's highest civilian awards: the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
In addition to his business successes, Tata was also known for his support of entrepreneurship. He had invested in more than 30 startups across various industries, cementing his position as a prominent investor in the Indian startup ecosystem. Ratan Tata's legacy extends far beyond the Tata Group, as his vision and leadership have shaped the Indian business landscape and inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs.