As Ratan Tata turns 84, here's a look at another great year of India's greatest businessman

Born in Mumbai in 1937, Tata did his schooling in Mumbai, Shimla and New York City. He received a degree in Architecture from Cornell University in the US in 1959.

Two days ago, industrialist Harsh Goenka shared a photo in which Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy can be seen touching Tata’s feet during an event last year.

“Two of the most respected businessmen,” Goenka tweeted, along with this quote: “Be like a bamboo. The higher you grow, the deeper you bow.”

As 2021 is about to end, in an Instagram message on Christmas, Tata hoped that the coming year would bring good health joy after a tough year.

2021 started on a good note for Tata as Supreme Court ruled in favour of Tata Group in the Tata-Mistry case. After being appointed as the Tata Sons Chairman in 2012, Cyrus Pallonji Mistry was removed from the post in an October 2016 board meeting.

The Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group termed the removal "blood sport" and "ambush" and accused Ratan Tata and Tata Sons of wrong doing in the court.

However, the Supreme Court's judgment reinforced the repuation of both Tata and Tata Group.

"It (the judgement) reinforces the fairness and justice displayed by our judiciary," he wrote

He joined Instagram in 2019, and devloped a liking for the photo-sharing app. 

From sharing his views on issues of his interest to photos with popular tags like #ThrowbackThursdays and expressing his love for pets, especially dogs, Tata engaged with his followers.

After his followers on Instagram crossed  million, the philanthropist said learning from Instagram community was truly exciting and made him very happy.

"This wonderful online family is not what I expected when I joined Instagram and I have you to thank for it. I do believe that the quality of connections you make in this age of the internet is far greater than any number. Being a part of your community and learning from you is truly exciting and makes me very happy," he wrote in his 2020 post.

 

He also shared his desire to play piano well. Tata told his Instagram family that he was enamoured with the idea and decided to find a great piano teacher after his retirement in December 2012.

Alongside a picture of him playing piano, he wrote, "I hope to try once again in the near future."

2021 was remarkable for Tata in more ways than one. Tata Group gained control over the airlines it had launched after 68 years of ceding control to the government.

The government accepted the highest bid of Rs 18,000 crore made by Tata Sons for 100 per cent equity shares of Air India and Air India Express, and 50 per cent stake in ground-handling company AISATS.

As the government announced the news, a thrilled Ratan Tata reacted immediately and tweeted: "Welcome back, Air India."

He said that he is keen on making AI the world's most-prestigious airline just like it was under JRD Tata's leadership.

Moreover, Tata's post on Twitter became the 'Most-Retweeted' and 'Most-Liked' tweet in the business world. It has since then been retweeted 82,900 times and liked by 406,500 people.