Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, passes away at 86

Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata, who led one of India's biggest conglomerates, passed away at the age of 86 on Wednesday.

"It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata group but also the very fabric of our nation," Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran says in a statement.

"For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass," Chandrasekaran says.

Recounting his interactions with Tata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti."

One of the most unique aspects of Ratan Tata was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back, PM Modi says. "He was at the forefront of championing causes like education, healthcare, sanitation, animal welfare to name a few."

Tata was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being, the prime minister says. "He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better."

Mahindra Group’s non-executive chairman Anand Mahindra took to microblogging platform X to bid farewell to Tata. “I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata. India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable. With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example. Because he was a businessman for whom financial wealth and success was most useful when it was put to the service of the global community,” Mahindra writes in his post.

RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka was the first to post on Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata’s health. “The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories. R.I.P,” Goenka says in his post.

On Monday, Tata said he was undergoing routine medical check-ups due to his age and related medical conditions. “I am aware of recent rumours circulating regarding my health and want to assure everyone that these claims are unfounded." "There is no cause of concern. I remain in good spirits and request that the public and media respect refrain from spreading misinformation," he added.