New Delhi : Ratan Naval Tata does not need any identity. The whole world knows him by the name of Ratan Tata. He is not only India’s leading entrepreneur but also the biggest philanthropist. There are many legends about him also. He is the former chairman of Tata Sons. Ratan Naval Tata always takes care of the poor, students, researchers and innovative people. The biggest proof of his philanthropy is that he joined the list of the world’s biggest donors by donating to Cornell University. Ratan Tata was the Chairman of Tata Group from 1990 to 2012 and then its interim Chairman from October 2016 to February 2017. Apart from this, he also served as the head of several charitable trusts. In the year 2000, the first year of the 21st century, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour. After this, in the year 2008, he was also awarded Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award. Come, today let us know about such philanthropic industrialist Ratan Naval Tata.
When was Ratan Tata born
Ratan Naval Tata was born on 28 December 1937 in Surat, Gujarat. His father’s name is Naval Tata. When Ratan Tata turned 11 years old, his parents separated from each other in the year 1948. After this, his father Naval Tata married Simone, from whom he had two brothers Jimmy and Noel Tata. After separation from his mother, Hormusji Tata, the then head of the Tata Group, adopted Ratan Tata and was later brought up by his wife Nawazbai Tata.
Ratan Tata’s studies
Ratan Tata studied till eighth grade from Campion School in then Bombay and now Mumbai. After this he studied at Bishop Cotton School, Cathedral and John Connon School, Shimla in the same city. After finishing school, Ratan Tata went to New York and there he graduated from Riverdale Country School in the year 1955. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Ratan Tata enrolled at Cornell University, from where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1959. In 2008, he gifted nearly $50 million to Cornell University, becoming the largest international donation in the university’s history. Apart from this, Ratan Tata is such a philanthropist who donates about 60 to 65 percent of his income.
When did Ratan Tata join Tata Group?
After completing his graduation abroad, Ratan Tata joined Tata Group in the year 1961, where he worked on the shop floor of Tata Steel. He later became the chairman of Tata Sons in 1991 after the retirement of JRD Tata. During his tenure, the Tata Group established itself as a global India-focused business. During this period, Tata Group acquired Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover and Corus.
Ratan Tata is the biggest investor
Ratan Tata is a veteran industrialist and philanthropist as well as a big investor. He has made many investments in many startups in the country and abroad. Tata is said to have invested in more than 30 start-ups so far, most of which in his personal capacity and some through his company.
Ratan Tata gives priority to innovation and innovation
Ratan Tata always gives priority to innovation and innovation. This is the reason why he entrusted many responsibilities to young talents not only in Tata Group companies but also by investing in startups. Under his leadership, overlapping operations between subsidiaries were streamlined into company-wide operations.
Chairman of Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012
Ratan Naval Tata served as the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, from 1991 until his retirement on 28 December 2012. During his tenure, Tata Group’s revenues increased manifold, totaling more than $100 billion in 2011–12. After retirement, Ratan Tata has been honored with the title of Honorary Chairman of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.
Took responsibility as head of these companies of Tata Group
Ratan Tata was also the chairman of many major companies of Tata Group. These include Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Power, Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels and Tata Teleservices. He is also associated with various organizations in India and abroad. He serves on the international advisory boards of Mitsubishi Corporation and JPMorgan Chase. Apart from this, he is the Chairman of Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Allied Trust, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Allied Trust. He is the Chairman of the Management Council of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He also serves on the boards of trustees of Cornell University and the University of Southern California.
Ratan Tata remained a bachelor all his life.
After retirement, he now spends most of his time with his family. He did not marry. It is said that he became so distressed by the war between India and China that he gave up his desire to get married. After this he spends his time with the children of his younger brother Jimmy and Noel Tata. Noel Tata’s son Neville Tata is married to Mansi Kirloskar, daughter of Vikram Kirloskar of Kirloskar Motors.