Ambani, Adani mourn death of ‘most illustrious’ Ratan Tata

PTI, Oct 10, 2024, 8:52 AM IST

New Delhi: India’s top tycoons on Wednesday mourned the death of legendary industrialist Ratan Tata, with RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani calling him one of India’s most illustrious and kind-hearted sons.

Tata Group’s chairman emeritus and veteran industrialist Ratan Tata died at a Mumbai hospital late on Wednesday night. Tata, who led the salt-to-software conglomerate to new heights, was 86.

Besides Ambani, billionaire Gautam Adani as well as auto legend Anand Mahindra mourned Tata’s demise.

“It is a very sad day for India and India Inc. Ratan Tata’s passing away is a big loss, not just to the Tata Group, but to every Indian,” Ambani said in his condolence message. “At a personal level, the passing of Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief as I lost a dear friend.” Recalling his numerous interactions with Tata that left him “inspired and energised”, he said Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and philanthropist who always strove for society’s greater good.

Interactions with him “enhanced my respect for the nobility of his character and the fine human values he embodied,” Ambani said in a statement.

“With the demise of Mr Ratan Tata, India has lost one of her most illustrious and kind-hearted sons. Mr Tata took India to the world and brought the best of the world to Bharat. He institutionalised the House of Tata and made it an international enterprise growing the Tata group over 70 times since the time he took over as Chairman in 1991,” he added. “Ratan, you will always remain in my heart.” Adani said India has lost “a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path”.

“Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader – he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti,” he said in a post on X.

Anand Mahindra said India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward and Tata’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,” he said. “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.” Bidding adieu, Mahindra said, “Goodbye and Godspeed, Mr. T. You will not be forgotten. Because Legends never die.” Recalling his last meeting with Tata where they talked about the progress of Waymo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said, “He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better. Deep condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji.”