Bombay House is different from any other conglomerate's headquarters. While every visitor is frisked at the entrance of the colonial-era building, one should not be surprised to see a street dog stroll in nonchalantly. For decades, specific instructions have been issued to the staff to allow a free entry and exit for the strays who may want to come in.
Ratan Tata was one of the world's most influential industrialists yet he never appeared on any list of billionaires. He controlled over 30 companies that operated in over 100 countries across six continents yet lived an unpretentious life. Ratan Naval Tata, who died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 86 years, enjoyed a perhaps unique status -- a corporate titan who was considered a 'secular living saint' with a reputation for decency and integrity.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the funeral of industrialist Ratan Tata in Mumbai on Thursday, sources said on Thursday.
In a post on X, Shinde said Tata was a unique blend of morality and entrepreneurship.
'It is unfortunate that the Chairman of Tata Sons, a Company renowned for setting high standards of corporate governance, is contending reappointment on such an untenable interpretation of the Articles'.
Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday passed a resolution urging the central government to confer 'Bharat Ratna', the country's highest civilian award, on legendary industrialist late Ratan Tata.
Expressing condolences on the demise of the doyen of Indian industry and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said he has left an indelible mark on society. "Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata, a leader par excellence, visionary industrialist, and philanthropist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our society," Sitharaman said in a post on X.
Just in case the AGM, scheduled At the AGM, if it is held, a shareholders' vote on Chandra's renewal as a director on the Tata Sons board is unlikely but not ruled out.
Industry leaders including Google's India-born chief executive Sundar Pichai on Wednesday mourned the death of Ratan Tata, saying the veteran industrialist cared about making India better. "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," Pichai said in a post on X. Pichai recalled that his last meeting with Tata was at Google's office where they spoke about the progress of self-driving car Waymo.
Wagging its tail non-stop, the dog with a red collar refused to leave Tata's side, literally clinging to the spot next to the casket.
Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus, Tata Sons, launched Goodfellows, India's companionship startup for senior citizens, in a bid to encourage inter-generational friendships.
Corporate leaders' half-life has shrunk over the past few decades. That is the Tata experience as well. Over 144 years till 2012, Tata Sons had just five chairmen. However, in the 15 years till 2027, the same group will see three, points out R Gopalakrishnan.
'When the bombing happened in the Taj Mahal hotel in 2008, that was a very sad moment, but he really took care of the people, took care of everybody and that was when you saw some of his best moments.' 'There are some things which we will never forget. That is when the best of a person comes out.'
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected Tata Sons' application to surrender its non-banking finance company (NBFC) licence, a decision that mandates a public markets listing for the conglomerate's holding company as it is classified as an upper-layer NBFC.
The Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tributes to industrialist Ratan Tata, the Chief Minister's Office said.
Shantanu Naidu, a long-time associate of Ratan Tata, on Thursday bid adieu to the industrialist, comparing his boss to a 'lighthouse'.
Legendary industrialist Ratan Tata's body was on Thursday morning taken from his house in a hearse, decked with white flowers, to the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai where it would be kept for people to pay their last respects.
The Tata Sons board has voted to reappoint N Chandrasekaran as chairman for a third five-year term, a decision influenced by the Reserve Bank of India's rejection of the company's application to surrender its NBFC registration, which revives the prospect of a stock market listing.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has announced he will not seek reappointment when his current term concludes on February 20, 2027. This decision follows a lack of unanimous board support for his extension, despite recommendations from the majority shareholders, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Chandrasekaran cited the need for leadership clarity amidst strategic projects and has requested the board to initiate a succession plan.
Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata has been given honorary fellowship of the London School of Economics and Political Science for his contribution to the global industry.
Ratan Tata, an iconic corporate leader, retired as Chairman of the $100-billion Tata Group after a 50-year run, on his 75th birthday.
One of India's most powerful and dynamic business tycoons, Ratan Tata turns 70 today.
"I mentioned to sir (Ratan Tata) that the son of a fellow army officer was handicapped below the waist and needed a job," he told PTI from Pune where he now lives. "Vijay Bisht, son of my then colleague in M&G area HQ Lt Col B S Bisht, had sustained severe leg injuries after falling from a horse and I came to know he was looking for a job," he added. Tata said the needful would be done. And it was.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday, July 27, called on Tata Group Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata at his residence in Colaba, south Mumbai. Also present was Natarajan Chandrasekharan, the current chairman of the Tata group.
'I think Ratan felt he had to do everything that he could to retain control of the company started by his forefathers, because that was the first priority and nothing else mattered compared to that.'
Tata Group stocks experienced a significant decline, with TCS falling nearly 6 per cent, after Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced he would not seek reappointment when his current term concludes on February 20, 2027.
The upcoming Tata Sons board meeting in June could possibly throw some light on several critical issues that may have a bearing on the future of the corporate behemoth.
Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran has issued a statement explaining his decision not to seek an extension beyond his current tenure, which ends on February 20, 2027, citing a lack of unanimous board support for his reappointment.
"'His mantra was simple yet profound: Be number one or be ready to be wiped out. There's nothing in between," he used to say and it was a reminder for all to always aim high, to push boundaries, and to strive for excellence.
In a December 2012 interview, Ratan Tata, then preparing to step down as chairman of Tata Sons, expressed doubts about the Tata group re-entering the aviation sector, calling it a space plagued by "destructive competition". But beneath that frustration lay nearly two decades of failed attempts to conquer the Indian skies. In 1994, Tata, along with Singapore Airlines, had plans to launch a joint venture (JV) airline in India.
'whom he believes in ... or whom he has faith in. But we don't know whether that person will be competent or not. This will lead to a lot of uncertainty in the minds of investors and shareholders of the Tata group companies.'
Ratan Naval Tata, a prominent industrialist, philanthropist, and former Chairman of Tata Sons, has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, reports Mid-Day newspaper.
Sharing a screenshot of an article that stated his "recent investment had experts in disbelief and major banks concerned" as an example, he wrote, "If you see any articles or ads mentioning my association with cryptocurrency, they are absolutely untrue and meant to scam citizens."
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, credited with stabilising Tata Sons after a boardroom coup and overseeing significant expansion, has announced his resignation as chairman, capping a nearly decade-long tenure marked by both successes and escalating tensions with the group's controlling charitable trusts.
'The people of India have shown immense faith in the Tata group as they have never broken the trust of Indians.'
Veteran industrialist and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata continues to be in Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital for age-related ailments, said people aware of the situation. Comments from the Tata group could not be immediately obtained on his health condition.
N Chandrasekaran not only faces muted financial performance from the group's listed companies, but also mounting losses at Tata Sons' unlisted subsidiaries, many of which have been set up by him in the last decade.
A crucial Tata Trusts board meeting was unexpectedly postponed, highlighting internal conflicts over veto power, Tata Sons listing, and trustee eligibility, raising concerns about the stability of the $180 billion conglomerate.
'I don't think his influence over his company will just suddenly eradicate. I am sure he will be a sort of holy ghost over the whole company.' Zubin Mehta recalls his more than five decade association with Ratan Tata in an exclusive conversation with Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.
Ratan Tata steps down as chairman of the Tata Group on his 65th birthday on Saturday, implementing his self-initiated retirement policy.
