India Inc mourns Ratan Tata's demise

The former chairman of Tata Group who transformed the Indian conglomerate into a global powerhouse through a series of high-profile acquisitions, passed away at the age of 86, the Tata Group announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Moments after the news of Ratan Tata's passing broke, tributes poured in from people across all walks of life. Business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Anand Mahindra, and Harsh Goenka also expressed their sorrow, mourning the loss of a true titan.

Mahindra Group Chairman “I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata,” Anand Mahindra wrote as he shared a picture of the national icon. In the following lines, the Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra expressed how Ratan Tata’s “mentorship and guidance” would have been invaluable at this time when “India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward.”

“Goodbye and Godspeed, Mr. T,” Mahindra wrote as he concluded his X share.

In a throwback post, Mahindra shared an image with Ratan Tata when he paid an unexpected visit to Mahindra & Mahindra pavilion during Auto Expo in Delhi, almost 20 years ago.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed his grief, emphasising the fine human values Ratan Tata embodied.  "It is a very sad day for India and India Inc. Ratan Tata's passing away is a big loss, not just to the Tata Group, but to every Indian. At a personal level, the passing of Ratan Tata has filled me with immense grief as I lost a dear friend. Each of my numerous interactions with him left me inspired and energised and enhanced my respect for the nobility of his character and the fine human values he embodied. Ratan Tata was a visionary industrialist and a philanthropist, who always strove for society's greater good," Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani said.

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka wrote: “The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories. R.I.P,” Harsh Goenka posted, expressing sadness over Ratan Tata's death.

Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran in a statement broke the sad news of the passing of the iconic business leader: "It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” he said.

Image posted on X by x.com/hvgoenka

Among those paying tribute was Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who reflected on his last meeting with the visionary leader at Google, where they discussed the advancements of Waymo. Pichai, along with many others, honoured the memory of the iconic industrialist, who passed away in Mumbai.

“My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about the progress of Waymo and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India,” Pichai wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“He deeply cared about making India better. Deep condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji.”

Gautam Adani expressed his grief on Tata's sad demise. "Legends like him never fade away," wrote Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group on X.

"India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India's path. Ratan Tata wasn't just a business leader - he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away," he posted.