'He didn’t have to, but he insisted': An emotional N Chandrasekaran remembers Ratan Tata’s quiet kindness

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran grew nostalgic as he reflected on his interactions with Ratan Tata, the legendary leader who transformed the Tata Group into a global powerhouse.

Speaking at the recently concluded ET Awards, Chandrasekaran shared how Tata’s warmth and humility remained steadfast despite his health struggles in recent years. He recalled how the industrialist never failed to personally welcome him and see him off.

“I told him, 'Sir, you don’t have to do this.' But he would insist. This was his courtesy. For him, doing the right thing was important. Every time he made a decision, he would put himself in the shoes of others to ensure he was being fair," Chandrasekaran said.

Ratan Tata, who steered the Tata Group for over two decades, passed away last year at 86, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped Indian industry. With a degree in architecture from Cornell University, he returned to India in 1962 to join the business empire his great-grandfather had built. From Telco (now Tata Motors) to Tata Steel, he gained hands-on experience across multiple Tata companies, immersing himself in the nuances of their operations.

It was at the National Radio & Electronics Company that he first proved his mettle, reviving the struggling unit and steering it back to profitability.

When Tata took charge of the group in 1991, India was on the brink of economic liberalisation. As the nation opened its doors to global markets, he embarked on an ambitious journey to modernise the conglomerate. Under his leadership, Tata Teleservices was founded in 1996, and in 2004, IT giant Tata Consultancy Services—now the group's crown jewel—went public.

The group’s global footprint expanded dramatically with a series of bold acquisitions. In 2000, Tata acquired British tea giant Tetley for $432 million, marking the first major foreign takeover by an Indian company. In 2007, he orchestrated the $13 billion purchase of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus, then the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian firm. A year later, Tata Motors made headlines again, snapping up British luxury car icons Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion.

At Tata Motors, his passion for automobiles shone through, especially with the Indica—India’s first homegrown car—and the Nano, envisioned as the world’s most affordable car. Reportedly, he personally contributed early sketches for both models.

Despite his towering achievements, Ratan Tata remained a private and unassuming figure. A licensed pilot, he often took to the skies in the company’s aircraft. He never married and lived a relatively modest life. Nearly two-thirds of Tata Sons’ share capital is held by philanthropic trusts, reflecting his deep commitment to social causes.

After stepping down from the helm of the Tata Group, Tata reinvented himself as a mentor to India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. With a sharp eye for innovation, he backed a diverse range of companies, from digital payments giant Paytm to Ola Electric and home-service platform Urban Company.

For his extraordinary contributions to Indian industry, Ratan Tata was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award, in 2008.