Ratan Tata, one of India's most respected industrialists, passed away in a Mumbai hospital last evening. He was 86-years-old. He was the Chairman of Tata Sons and his contribution to Indian industry and the business world is no small thing. He was also known for his philanthropic activities.
1.Ratan Naval Tata was the grandson of Jamsetji Tata, who founded the tata Group. Son of Naval Tata and Sooni Tata, he was born on 28 December 1937 in Mumbai.
2. He was brought up by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated in 1948.
3.Though Ratan Tata has been close to marriage four times, he is yet to get married.
4.He once said that he fell in love while working in Los Angeles. But due to the India-China war of 1962, the girl's parents did not allow her to go to India.
5. Ratan Tata started his career in 1961 by managing the shop floor operations of Tata steel
6.Auto's to Steel, a company founded by his grandfather four hundred years ago
He became chairman in 1991.
7.It was at a time when the liberalisation of the Indian economy was underway that he began to restructure the Tata Group.
He played a key role in the business expansion of popular cars including Tata Nano and Tata Indica.
- In 2004, Tetley was acquired by Tata Tea, Jaguar Land Rover by Tata Motors and Corus by Tata Steel.
- In 2009, Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise of making the world's cheapest car accessible to the middle class. Priced at Rs 1 lakh, the Tata Nano has become a symbol of innovation and affordability.
He also held the position of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.
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