Ratan Tata led the group into new sectors like telecom and passenger cars and was instrumental in fostering innovation with landmark projects such as Indica, India’s first indigenous car; Nano, the world’s most affordable vehicle; and Ginger, a budget hotel chain, while overseeing more than 60 acquisitions that expanded the group’s reach. He also took Tata Consultancy Services public, the only major Tata company to do so.

Tata’s legacy, however, was not without controversies. His decision to appoint Cyrus Mistry as his successor in 2011 sparked one of the most contentious chapters in the group’s history. He subsequently selected N Chandrasekaran to lead Tata Sons after Mistry’s acrimonious exit in 2016. Additionally, his dream of creating the world’s cheapest car (Nano) faced political opposition in West Bengal, leading to the relocation of production to Gujarat. In 2008, Ratan Tata was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour. Despite his many successes, Ratan Tata remained remarkably humble, often attributing his achievements to the efforts of those around him. A believer in steering clear of politics, he once remarked, “Like my mentor JRD Tata, I had never considered politics. I am not cut out to be a political person and will not venture into it.”

Beyond the boardroom, he was known for his quiet but resolute demeanour, often choosing to stay out of the limelight. His contributions extended far beyond business as he led numerous philanthropic initiatives through the Tata Trusts, quietly but significantly impacting sectors like healthcare, education, and rural development. He maintained a low profile in retirement, with sporadic public appearances – the last one being on August 15 this year, when he visited the Tata Fire Temple in Bandra to celebrate the Parsi new year.

In the post-retirement years, Ratan Tata also became an angel investor in numerous startups, including Upstox, FirstCry, and Ola Electric – proof, if any was needed, of his continued commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. He also significantly increased his focus on philanthropy through Tata Trusts, transforming the organisation’s funding approach to prioritise large-scale social initiatives, such as establishing cancer care hospitals and setting up India’s largest tertiary care centre for small animals, including strays, in Mumbai.

Though his physical activity decreased in recent years, with even more reduced public appearances, he maintained sharp eyesight and engaged in virtual meetings for both official and philanthropic work.