Google CEO Sundar Pichai praised Ratan Tata for playing an important role in mentoring and developing modern business leadership in India. (File photos via PTI/AP)
Soon after reports of Ratan Tata’s passing surfaced, Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared a heartfelt post on social media platform X on Thursday, reflecting on his last meeting with the former Tata Group chairman.
Photosi recalled their meeting at Google, where they discussed the progress of Waymo—a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, focused on self-driving technology.
The Google CEO also highlighted how Tata “cares deeply about making India better” and noted that he is leaving an amazing legacy in business and philanthropy.
Photosi praised Tata for playing an important role in mentoring and developing modern business leadership in India.
My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about Waymo’s progress and his perspective was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and has been instrumental in mentoring and developing modern business leadership in India. He deeply…- Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) October 9, 2024
“My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about Waymo’s progress and his perspective was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and has been instrumental in mentoring and developing modern business leadership in India. He cared deeply about making India better. Deepest condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji,” Photosi wrote in his post about X’s passing.
Tata, 86, passed away on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. He was undergoing emergency treatment at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.
Who is Ratan Tata?
As the former chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata led the organization for more than 20 years, transforming it into a global powerhouse through a series of high-profile acquisitions.
After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in architecture, he returned to India in 1962 to work for a group founded by his grandfather nearly a century earlier.
During his career, he held positions in several Tata companies, including Telco (now Tata Motors Ltd) and Tata Steel Ltd, where he successfully turned around losses and increased market share at the National Radio & Electronics Company.
In 1991, he succeeded his uncle, JRD Tata, as chairman, just as India was embarking on major economic reforms that opened its markets to the rest of the world and ushered in a period of rapid growth.
One of his first initiatives was to simplify the management of the Tata Group by enforcing the retirement age, promoting young leaders to senior positions, and increasing oversight of its companies.
In 1996, he founded Tata Teleservices and took Tata Consultancy Services, the group’s main source of revenue, public in 2004.
Among his prominent projects at Tata Motors are the Indica which was the first car designed and built in India and the Nano which was advertised as the cheapest car in the world. He even provided the first drawings for both models.
A licensed pilot who occasionally flew the company’s aircraft, Tata never married. He was known for his quiet demeanor, modest life, and dedication to helping people.
About two-thirds of the share capital of Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, is held by philanthropic trusts.
After leaving the Tata Group, Ratan Tata became a prominent investor in India’s start-up industries, backing a number of companies, including digital payments company Paytm, Ola Electric (a unit of carmaker Ola), and home service providers and beauty Urban Company.
Among his many honours, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, in 2008 for his exceptional and distinguished service in commerce and industry.
(With input from Reuters)