Tributes pour in for 'Iron Man' Ratan Tata; Here's what leaders and business giants said

Ratan Naval Tata, a towering figure in Indian industry and the chairman emeritus of Tata Group, passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 86. He had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His death marks the end of an era, with an outpouring of tributes from leaders across the business and political spectrum, who hailed him as a true visionary who left an indelible mark on Indian industry.

Born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai, Tata played a pivotal role in shaping the Tata Group and Indian business at large. He led Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, as Chairman from 1991 until his retirement in 2012. He also chaired the Ratan Tata Trust and Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest philanthropic trusts in the country. Tata was recognized with numerous awards, including India’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2008, for his immense contributions to industry and philanthropy.

Tata Group's Tribute to Its Former Chairman
Following his passing, Tata Group took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their deep sorrow. In an emotional post, Tata’s family and Tata Group acknowledged his profound legacy and the impact he had on the world. "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Ratan. We, his brothers, sisters, and family, take solace and comfort in the outpouring of love and respect from all who admired him. While he is no longer with us in person, his legacy of humility, generosity, and purpose will continue to inspire future generations," the statement read.

Business Leaders Reflect on Tata's Contributions
Across India, leaders from various sectors reflected on the immense influence Tata had on both business and society. N.R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, expressed his grief, calling Tata’s demise a "huge loss to India." He further noted, "He was the king amongst the industrialists of India." Murthy praised Tata for his unique traits, stating, "What I found him to be unique amongst the businessmen was the fact that he was competent, humble, courteous, curious, concerned, patriotic, and decent."

Murthy shared his admiration for how Tata conducted himself in both personal and professional settings, saying, "On rare occasions when he disagreed, he was not disagreeable. Whether he was speaking to an admiring teenager, of which there are, of course, zillions in India, or to a much-respected senior business person, his sincerity, depth of knowledge, intense patriotism, and his legendary courtesy shone through effortlessly."

Murthy also recalled Tata’s visionary dream for India, highlighting how his responses to questions about the future always demonstrated a strong sense of patriotism. "We were all so amazed at his ideas, his sincerity, and most importantly, his patriotism," said Murthy.

A Visionary Who Prioritized India
Tata’s dedication to his country was a theme echoed by many leaders. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Motor Company, emphasized how Tata placed the nation above business interests. "Ratan Tata always placed country before business interests," said Srinivasan, calling Tata’s passing the loss of a "true visionary."

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, called Tata’s death a significant loss for the country. "Tata's demise is the loss of a true visionary. His contributions to Indian industry and his unwavering commitment to the country's development are unparalleled."

Inspiration for Generations
Anish Shah, Managing Director of Mahindra Group, praised Tata for his ability to inspire generations of business leaders to "create with integrity." Shah highlighted Tata’s values and ethical approach, which resonated deeply with both his contemporaries and younger generations.

Political leaders also weighed in, mourning Tata’s passing. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called him a "visionary industrialist" who left an "indelible mark on our society." Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described Tata as a "true nationalist" and noted his significant contributions to India’s development. "Ratan Tata was a true nationalist, a visionary industrialist who contributed immensely to the growth of India," said Goyal.

Political Tributes to a National Icon
Chief Ministers from across the country also expressed their sorrow. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that Tata’s death marked "the end of an era," while CMs of several eastern states paid tribute to his lasting influence on India’s economy and society.

Congress state president Nana Patole says, "Just like his (Ratan Tata) name, he was an 'Anmol Ratan' to the nation. He was an industrialist who worked for the nation. He contributed to the industrial development and strengthening of the nation...On behalf of the Congress party, I pay humble tributes to him..."