A Legend Passes, but His Legacy Lives On
Today, we mourn the passing of a titan whose name is synonymous with trust, ethics, and visionary leadership—Ratan Tata, the man who led the Tata Group into the modern era. It is hard to encapsulate the sheer magnitude of his impact, not just on Indian industry but also globally.
Just a few days ago, I had the joy of fulfilling my 8-year-old daughter’s birthday wish. She asked for comic books, and as any parent would, I initially thought of gifting her some Panchatantra tales (thanks to my father, who had introduced me to Amar Chitra Katha when I was young). However, I wanted her to learn about real-world heroes—leaders who built legacies. So, along with Panchatantra, I also gifted her two comic biographies—those of Jamsetji Tata and J.R.D. Tata.
Little did I know that I would soon be reflecting on the Tata family’s profound influence on both my personal and professional life, only to be met with the heart-wrenching news of Ratan Tata’s passing. For someone like me, who has been both an entrepreneur and a startup ecosystem enabler, the Tata Group represents much more than just a business conglomerate. It is a beacon of integrity, a brand built on trust, and a leader in the ethos of giving back to society.
Ratan Tata, in many ways, was the face of the modern Tata Group. Under his leadership, the company grew into a global powerhouse, acquiring iconic brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea, while still being rooted in the values laid down by Jamsetji Tata and J.R.D. Tata. His decision to focus on global expansion while preserving ethical leadership serves as an excellent example for today’s entrepreneurs.
Throughout my own journey as an entrepreneur—whether it was with Ulaginoli Energy Solutions, Service Raja, BigginBiz, or in my current role as a startup ecosystem enabler at Founder Institute and SSN iFound—I have often found myself reflecting on the Tata Group’s values. I even remember receiving my first job offer from TCS shortly after finishing college. However, driven by a desire to chart my entrepreneurial course, I decided to pursue my MBA at LIBA, with the intent of launching Ulaginoli Energy Solutions.
Ratan Tata’s leadership wasn’t just about business growth; it was about serving society. His approach to philanthropy, his humility in leadership, and his unwavering ethical compass resonate deeply with me. In the book TATA: The Evolution of a Corporate Brand by Morgen Witzel, Ratan Tata’s contribution to the growth of the Tata Group as a global brand is well-documented. More importantly, he is remembered for his humanitarian vision and his belief that businesses are not just entities to generate profit—they are institutions of social responsibility.
Some key lessons from Ratan Tata’s legacy that I’ve applied in my own career as both an entrepreneur and startup ecosystem enabler include:
- Trust is the foundation of a sustainable brand: The Tata Group’s longevity is a testament to the trust it has built over more than a century.
- Innovation with purpose: Ratan Tata always emphasized that businesses should not just create products for the sake of profit but should solve real problems.
- Global expansion with local values: Even as Tata expanded globally, it retained the values of ethics, sustainability, and community upliftment that were central to its identity.
- Humility and leadership: Despite his immense success, Ratan Tata remained a humble leader, a quality that all entrepreneurs should strive to emulate.
Ratan Tata’s humble nature, combined with his commitment to improving society, makes him a role model for anyone in the startup ecosystem. His legacy is a guiding light for those of us working to build businesses that prioritize people over profits and work towards making the world a better place.
For me, Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader. He was a symbol of compassion, a visionary who saw beyond the bottom line, and a man whose principles continue to inspire not only those within the Tata Group but also countless entrepreneurs and leaders across the globe.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Ratan Tata. The world will miss you, but your legacy will live on forever.