INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ratan Tata (Photo posted on Instagram by @ratantata)4 min read Last Updated : Oct 10 2024 | 1:05 AM IST
Fate placed Ratan Tata in a
situation where few expected him to succeed
significant names, from an old-world business into a modern conglomerate, where its software outfit became the crown jewel, and from a group
that had parted with Air India into one that brought the airline back into its fold.
Equally important, Tata changed the character of the
group from a federal setup to a cohesive operation, led by Tata Sons, the group holding company, which in turn is controlled by Tata
He dabbled in various roles before starting a less-than-glorious stint at the National Radio and Electronics Company in 1971
Ten years later, he was named Chairman of Tata Industries, where he first showed glimpses of his talent by transforming the company into a
strategic think tank and promoter of high-tech ventures.
However, few paid attention to Tata Industries at a time when legends like Russi
Mody at Tata Steel, Darbari Seth at Tata Chemicals and Tata Tea, and Ajit Kerkar at Indian Hotels were loosely reporting to the bigger
legend: JRD Tata.
Naturally, few expected Ratan Tata to go far when he became head of the group
He was not even supposed to become that
Instead, he took on the tougher task of bringing the satraps to heel
From there, he systematically increased Tata Sons' shareholding in group companies
In 1996, he launched the Brand Subscription Scheme, where group companies paid a fee for using the Tata name.
Once Tata felt secure, he
Unlike some of his peers, such as Rahul Bajaj, who guarded their sovereignty and did not part with equity, Tata was open to collaborations
He took this a step further with a series of overseas acquisitions, most notably Tetley, Corus, and Jaguar Land Rover.
What he did at home
Thus, the Indica was born and held its own against international brands for a while
However, the more ambitious Nano proved a challenge
Tata had promised an ideal car for India at around Rs 1 lakh, but despite fulfilling that promise, the Nano did not capture the imagination
Tata and Niira Radia became acquainted in the 1990s when the group was striving to launch an airline with Singapore International Airlines
Radia, who had moved to India with her three sons, was advising SIA
Following the leaked tapes, which showed Radia in questionable conversations, their association drew scrutiny, although Tata had repeatedly
stated that Radia was brought in to counter negative campaigns against the group.
Despite this, when Tata handed over to Cyrus Mistry in
2012, it was clear he was leaving behind a glorious legacy
initiating a more lasting succession.
It has been an eventful journey for someone who was not supposed to be in the role
He may not even have been a Tata
His father, Naval, was adopted by Ratanji Tata, the son of group founder Jamsetji.
Ratan Tata could have remained an architect, but his
grandmother's illness brought him back to India frequently, and one thing led to another
He stayed, scripting an indelible chapter in Indian business history.First Published: Oct 10 2024 | 1:05 AMIST
