Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Renowned industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata, is celebrating his 86th birthday today. His life has been marked by humility and significant contributions for the welfare of the society. Let's take a look at some of the interesting facts about the most respected business tycoon of India.
Ratan Tata is the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata group. He was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated in 1948.
Ratan Tata's educational journey included stints at Campion School and Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, and an eventual diploma from Riverdale Country School in New York City in 1955.
Joining the Tata group in 1961, Ratan Tata began his career managing shop floor operations at Tata Steel. Subsequently, he pursued further studies at Harvard Business School and Cornell University College of Architecture.
Ratan Tata's leadership brought global attention to the Tata group through historic mergers, including Corus, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tetley. He took TCS public in 2004, marking a significant milestone for the Tata Group. In 2009, Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise to make the cheapest car for the middle class with the launch of Tata Nano priced at ₹1 lakh.
Ratan Tata holds the title of being the 'most followed entrepreneur' in India, with a staggering 12 million followers on X, as per the 360 ONE Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2023.
Known for his philanthropy, Ratan Tata established the $28 million Tata Scholarship Fund at Cornell University and donated $50 million to Harvard Business School to build Tata Hall. In 2014, Rs 95 crore was donated to IIT-Bombay for the Tata Center for Technology and Design.
Ratan Tata continued the tradition of allowing stray dogs into Bombay House, the Tata group's headquarters, during the rainy season. This practice, dating back to the time of Jamsetji Tata, reflects his commitment to maintaining a humane workplace.
Despite coming close to marriage four times, Ratan Tata remains unmarried. His commitment to the Tata group and circumstances surrounding the 1962 Indo-China War influenced his decision to remain single.
As Ratan Tata turns 86, his life story reflects not only his business acumen but also his commitment to tradition, philanthropy, and a humble leadership style that has left an indelible mark on the business world.