Ratan Tata Quotes
- "I don't believe in making better decisions." I make decisions and then correct them.”
- “Take the stones that others throw at you. And put them to good use by building a monument.”
- “Walk alone if you want to go fast.” However, if you want to go a long distance, walk together.”
Success Story of Ratan Tata
Ratan Naval Tata is the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group, and is one of India's most well-known and respected industrialists.
Tata, who is 75 years old, is the chairman of one of the country's largest groups, which includes approximately 100 companies with combined revenue of USD 67 billion.
- Tata Steel
- Tata Motors
- Tata Power
- Tata Teleservices
- Tata Consultancy Services,
- Tata Chemicals
- Tata Tea, and
- The Indian Hotels Company
Above mentioned ventures are among his key Tata firms.
Ratan Tata is a name that is immediately recognized by everyone. Not only as a wealthy manufacturer but also as a great human being and humanitarian, the tata group patriarch has garnered respect.
Story of Ratan Tata life - Childhood and Early Life
Ratan Tata was born in Mumbai in 1937. His family is one of India's wealthiest industrialist families. His great grandfather, Jamsedji Nasarvanji Tata founded Tata Group in 1907.
Tata company was crucial in India's post-independence industrialization. Ratan Tata studied architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University in the US.
He also joined Harvard University for a management course.
The Career of Rata Tata
Despite being the future chairman of Tata Group, he began his career at the Tata Steel Division. He previously worked with blue-collar workers.
Ratan Tata became Director-in-Charge of NELCO (National Radio and Electronics Company Limited) in the year 1971. It was in desperate need of revival, and he successfully turned it around.
He took over as CEO of Tata Group in 1990. After becoming CEO he implemented a series of reforms to modernize the company's business operations in order to compete successfully in the modern age.
During his tenure, he merged all Tech companies and purchased other companies, notably:-
- Tetley and
- Jaguar Land Rover
He floated Tata Motors on the New York Stock Exchange, bringing the company international recognition.
Under his able leadership, India's first indigenously produced car ‘Indica’, and its first compact car ‘Nano’ was produced.
Nano is the most the cheapest car produced in the world. It is the brainchild of Tata. He was very concerned about the safety of nuclear families travelling in two-wheelers.
Be the Change you want to see in the World.
Ratan Tata has always been interested in new ideas and future technology, according to the idea.
Many start-ups and next-generation technology have benefited from his investments, both large and small. For his part, he made an investment with American Express in the bitcoin start-up, Abra.
In addition, he started the social welfare project Swach with a few Pune-based designers which developed a plan to provide clean drinking water to the rural poor.
Swach, an indigenously designed sub-1000 water purifier, is the result. Tata Motors has also completed the first batch of Tigor Electric Vehicles at its Sanand, Gujarat, production plant.
A True Leader in Every Sense
Tata is the definition of leadership, as he has always valued a humanitarian face over financial purposes. He is connected with a number of charity initiatives.
His aim is to enhance the quality of life and education in rural India. During his lifetime, he has received a lot of awards and felicitations.
Ratan Tata Net Worth
His wealth is estimated to be worth GBP 300 million. He owns less than 1% of Tata Groups, the world's largest group.
Several charitable trusts hold the majority of Tata Group shares, which are used to fund a variety of charitable activities.
Despite being a great human being and industrialist, Ratan Tata was never included in the Forbes list of billionaires.
The Golden Era of Tata begins...
Ratan Tata is a famous Indian industrialist and the former Chairman of the Tata Group of Companies, India's largest conglomerate.
Tata at present holds the position of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. It is the holding company of the Tata Group, which handles some of the most important companies in India, including:-
- Tata Motors,
- Tata Steel, Tata Power,
- Tata Consultancy Services,
- Indian Hotels (Taj), and
- Tata Teleservices.
Following his graduation, he continues to work in the family business. He began his career at Tata Steel as a fellow worker on the shop floor, where he learned about his family's business.
Ratan Tata was appointed the new Chairman of the Tata Group in 1990 after the retirement of J.R.D. Tata. Under his leadership and guidance, the company achieved new heights.
The Company earned a big amount of revenue from abroad. And he continued on at his job till 2012.
Under his leadership and supervision, transforming the firm from a largely India-centric company to a global brand name.
Tata Motors under his leadership has bought:-
- Tetley,
- Jaguar Land Rover,
- British Steels, and
- Corus
Funded many Startups
He's also a major philanthropist, with more than half of his company's stock invested in a number of charitable trusts.
Ratan Tata has also funded a number of businesses startup across India, including:-
- Paytm,
- Ola,
- Cashkaro,
- Urban ladder,
- Repos Energy,
- Bluestone,
- and many others.
He continues to serve as a guiding force for his company. After retirement, again joined as Chairman Emeritus after Cyrus Mistry controversy.
His great ideas and positive approach are always a landmark for the company.
Ford's Land Rover and Jaguar Historic Deal.
Ratan Tata has lead the Tata Group for decades, signing some of the most famous and important agreements.
The takeover of Land Rover and Jaguar by Tata from American Motors for US$ 2.3 billion (9,200 crores) on March 26, 2008.
It made history in the Indian automobile industry, making it the largest deal ever in the Indian automobile sector.
Tata acquired the two brands, as well as their manufacturing plants and intellectual property rights, and formed a new company called ‘Jaguar Land Rover.'
The takeover of two iconic and luxurious worldwide automobile brands, which helped Tata Motors to become one of the world's leading automakers.
It was the deal's most significant benefit for Tata Motors. Not only that, but the company was also able to acquire brands such as Tetley tea.
It paid $11.3 billion acquiring the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus Group, making it one of India's largest business dealings.
There is no surprise that Ratan Tata's Tata Group was the country's first major private contributor.
It went beyond statutory duties to ensure a better organized and purposeful giving process.
Ratan Tata is committed to combining his predecessors' institution-building legacy. To face the demands of humanitarian leadership in a complicated society.
The business magnate has not only taken advantage of business opportunities on numerous occasions, but he has also showed a keen interest in the development of humanitarian initiatives.
TATA Group Strategy
The real secret of the ‘TATA Group' is that, whenever possible, they have built a relationship and connection with their partners and competitors.
It always helps them to stay afloat in the long run. Tata is currently investing in almost every field and promoting items made in India.
They also stepped in online selling by starting TATA CLIQ. It is a competitor of Amazon and Flipkart.
Let's go back to 1999, when Mr. Tata stopped exporting Tata Sumo (a car model) to Pakistan due to the "Kargil War." It shows his policy of putting the country first.
Is Ratan Tata married - His Marriage tragedy -
There was a time when he was planning to marry, but the 1962 India-China War intervened.
Ratan Tata attributes his choice to continue architecture. His grandmother, claiming that he dared to change his profession from mechanical engineering to architecture, which led to a job offer in Los Angeles.
Ratan Tata went on to say that his two years in Los Angeles were a wonderful time. It was and a great moment since the weather was nice.
He had his own car, and he had a job he enjoyed. However, he decided to return to India for a while because his grandmother, who effectively nurtured him, was ill and he hadn't seen her in seven years.
Ratan Tata thought that the woman he loved would accompany him to India and the two of them would marry.
However, her parents refused because of the 1962 India-China war, and the relationship broke up.
Tata's Sweet Revenge Against Ford Motors
Few people are well aware that Tata, the current owner of the world's top two luxury brands, offered to sell his car unit to Ford in 1999.
This dates back to 1998, when Tata Motors introduced its first passenger car, the INDICA, with the aim of joining the passenger car market.
Tata Indica, however, was a complete failure in the market shortly after its launch.
As a result, it was a major failure in his life, putting a lot of burden on Tata. In addition, the company suffered a significant loss.
The company's poor reaction to its first car forced Tata Motors to sell the failing passenger car division to Ford Motor Company just a year after its launch in 1998.
Ford officials expressed interest after visiting Tata's Bombay headquarters. In search of support, Ratan Tata went to Detroit with his team to sell their budding passenger car business to Ford.
Ratan Tata and his strategic team travelled to Detroit (a city in Michigan) to visit Ford's headquarters.
Ratan Tata was humiliated by Ford officials during the meeting. They said, "You don't know anything, why did you started the passenger vehicle division?"
“Tata should not dream of being in the passenger car manufacturing business since they didn't deserve it,” they continued to insult him.
In general, it was an insult to Ratan Tata, but he didn't seem to mind, and he left the room without finalising the purchase.
Ratan Tata came back to New York with his staff that evening before returning to India. He had left the room, but he had not forgot the humiliation.
Tata had a new plan that no one knew about at the moment. After his arrival in Mumbai, he became active in passenger car divisions.
He began focused on developing the most indigenous Indian passenger car. It was first criticized by car analysts, but he realized that Indian customers are mostly concerned about mileage and cost.
Tata automobiles became one of the best-selling cars in Indian history because to an aggressive marketing strategy.
The Indica V2, a newer version of the car, was a significant improvement over the previous generation and rapidly became a popular choice.
In just a few years, he transformed the entire division from nothing to everything.
Jaguar Land Rover is today known for its premium, luxurious cars, as well as one of the most refined and powerful engines capable of handling any condition.
It has also boost up Tata Motors' finances, and these cars are among the world's best-selling vehicles.
He proved to the rest of the world that if a person is motivated and focused on his goal, he can achieve it.
This deal will be mentioned in Ratan Tata's success story every time he is mentioned.
Awards and Honors
Padma Bhushan was awarded to him by the Government of India in 2000, and Padma Vibhushan was awarded to him in 2008.
Apart from that, he has received honorary doctorates from many universities. All details about awards and felicitations were mentioned below:-
Year | Name | Awarding organization |
2001 | Honorary Doctor of Business Administration | Ohio State University |
2004 | Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay | Government of Uruguay |
2004 | Honorary Doctor of Technology | Asian Institute of Technology. |
2005 | International Distinguished Achievement Award | B’nai B’rith International |
2005 | Honorary Doctor of Science | University of Warwick. |
2006 | Honorary Doctor of Science | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
2006 | Responsible Capitalism Award | FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Manchester |
2007 | Honorary Fellowship | The London School of Economics and Political Science |
2007 | Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |
2008 | Honorary Doctor of Law | University of Cambridge |
2008 | Honorary Doctor of Science | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay |
2008 | Honorary Doctor of Science | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur |
2008 | Honorary Citizen Award | Government of Singapore |
2008 | Honorary Fellowship | The Institution of Engineering and Technology |
2008 | Inspired Leadership Award | The Performance Theatre |
2009 | Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) | United Kingdom |
2009 | Life Time Contribution Award in Engineering for 2008 | Indian National Academy of Engineering |
2009 | Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | Government of Italy |
2010 | Honorary Doctor of Law | University of Cambridge |
2010 | Hadrian Award | World Monuments Fund |
2010 | Oslo Business for Peace award | Business for Peace Foundation |
2010 | Legend in Leadership Award | Yale University |
2010 | Honorary Doctor of Laws | Pepperdine University |
2010 | Business for Peace Award | Business for Peace Foundation |
2010 | Business Leader of the Year | The Asian Awards. |
2012 | Honorary Fellow | The Royal Academy of Engineering |
2012 | Doctor of Business honoris causa | University of New South Wales |
2012 | Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun | Government of Japan |
2013 | Foreign Associate | National Academy of Engineering |
2013 | Transformational Leader of the Decade | Indian Affairs India Leadership Conclave'13 |
2013 | Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young – Lifetime Achievement | Ernst & Young |
2013 | Honorary Doctor of Business Practice | Carnegie Mellon University |
2013 | Honorary Doctorate | University of Amsterdam |
2014 | Honorary Doctor of Business | Singapore Management University |
2014 | Sayaji Ratna Award | Baroda Management Association |
2014 | Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE) | United Kingdom Government |
2014 | Honorary Doctor of Laws | York University, Canada |
2015 | Honorary Doctor of Automotive Engineering | Clemson University |
2015 | Sayaji Ratna Award | Baroda Management Association, Honoris Causa, HEC Paris |
2016 | Commander of the Legion of Honour | Government of France |