Ratan Naval Tata, the stalwart who steered the Tata Group through an era of unprecedented growth, passed away at Breach Candy Hospital late Wednesday night at the age of 86. Born in British-ruled Mumbai to Soonoo and Naval Tata, Ratan Tata was raised in a household steeped in legacy.
Educated at some of India’s premier institutions-Campion School and Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, and Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, Tata shared classrooms with future luminaries like music maestro Zubin Mehta and industrialists Ashok Birla and Rahul Bajaj.His formative years laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to education and philanthropy, which would define his career as much as his corporate achievements.
Throughout his career, Ratan Tata remained vocal about the transformative power of education, often emphasising the value of continuous learning. In various university convocations and public appearances, he inspired students and young professionals alike with his wisdom. At a graduation ceremony, Tata once remarked, “Your real learning starts now as you go into the real world. The tools have been given to you, but what you make in life is what you do after you graduate.” His words carried the weight of experience and underscored the importance of personal responsibility in shaping one’s future.
Here are some of Ratan Tata’s most impactful quotes that resonate with many:
On education and lifelong learning: “The greatest value that my parents may have given to me was a good education. Don’t fritter it away.” “Your real learning starts now as you go into the real world. The tools have been given to you, but what you make in life is what you do after you graduate.”
On leadership: “The day I am not able to fly will be a sad day for me.” “Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line even in an ECG means we are not alive.”
On humility and learning: “None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person but his own mindset can.”
On values in business: “We live by the legacy of ethics and values that Jamshedji Tata instilled in us.”
On life and aspirations: “I have always been very content with what I do. I am not driven by one-upmanship. I believe that the process of learning never ends.”
Ratan Tata was also a passionate advocate for education and continuous learning. He often reflected on the importance of education in shaping his life and urged young graduates to value the opportunities they received.
On taking risks: “I don’t believe in taking right decisions, I take decisions and then make them right.”
Tata also believed in making ethical decisions, even when they came with challenges. His leadership style was deeply rooted in doing what was right, a principle he emphasised repeatedly in his speeches.
On making ethical decisions: “There will be thousands of occasions when you have to make difficult decisions. You need to, at all times, ask yourself if you are doing the right thing and take the decision that’s the right thing, however difficult or unpopular that may be.”
His leadership philosophy extended beyond the confines of the boardroom. For him, being true to oneself and setting an example for others were central to leading a meaningful life.
On leadership and responsibility: “Do what you believe is right and do what you believe is fair and do what you believe is going to make a difference.” “Taking decisions is a very lonely activity. Difficult decisions are really ones that you need to take and you’re alone.”
On being true to yourself: “Be driven by a desire to make a difference, a desire to be ethical and fair. And then you will make a difference.” “I decided just to be myself…Be yourself.”
Ratan Tata’s humility and focus on ethical decision-making made him a revered figure, not just in business but across all walks of life. He believed that leaders must set a cultural tone for the organisations they lead, a principle he practiced throughout his tenure at Tata Group.
On leadership and setting an example: “The cultural tone of the organisation has to be set by the person at the top…His life, his integrity, his values are those that he can impose on others if he follows them himself.” “You need to go home at night and say, I didn’t succumb.”
A firm believer in fostering young talent, Tata often spoke about the potential he saw in startups and the next generation of entrepreneurs.
On supporting young entrepreneurs: “I see the future in the young managers, young startups…It’s the disruptive environment and the ability to think out of the box that has made the United States change…and I saw this as an opportunity to encourage and support young startups.”
Perhaps what set Ratan Tata apart most was his belief in giving back. Beyond the soaring revenues and international acquisitions, his true passion lay in philanthropy. Under his guidance, Tata Trusts played a pivotal role in uplifting millions through initiatives in education, healthcare, and rural development. His leadership in these efforts was quiet but resolute, reflecting his belief that real change happens without fanfare. Whether it was through funding educational scholarships or supporting India’s fight against poverty, Tata’s impact on the upliftment of the Indian society will be felt for generations to come.
