Ratan TATA: sad day for India.

I had dinner with Ratan and his dogs. I found him to be a nice guy and incredibly down to earth despite having the money to do whatever he wanted. It’s not every day you sit across from a man who’s not only one of the richest in the world but also someone who has single-handedly changed the course of an entire nation’s business landscape. Yet, there we were, just chatting about life, his beloved dogs at his side, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

For anyone unfamiliar with Ratan Tata, he wasn’t just the chairman of the Tata Group—he was the heartbeat of Indian business for decades. A man who, starting in the early '90s, helped transform India’s image from a closed economy to a global player. He didn’t just build a business empire; he professionalized India in the eyes of the world.

Bringing India to the Global Stage

Back in the early 1990s, India was at a crossroads. The economy had just begun to open up, but Indian companies were still operating in an outdated and heavily regulated market. Ratan Tata saw the potential of globalization early on and understood that for India to succeed, it needed to compete globally. He took over Tata Group and quickly started shaking things up. Under his leadership, Tata didn’t just grow—it expanded across continents. Acquiring global brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea wasn’t just about owning more businesses; it declared that Indian companies could stand toe-to-toe with the world’s biggest players.

What set Ratan Tata apart, though, wasn’t just his business acumen. It was his approach to leadership. He brought a level of ethics, transparency, and professionalism to Indian businesses that simply didn’t exist before. He clarified that business wasn’t just about profits—it was about people, values, and doing things correctly. Tata companies became synonymous with trust and integrity, and much of that is thanks to Ratan’s leadership.

Humble Leadership

The humility I saw at that dinner wasn’t just a quirk of his personality—it was the essence of how he led. Despite his influence, Ratan Tata was never the type to flaunt his success. He was always focused on creating a lasting impact, whether that was through Tata’s businesses or the charitable work he did behind the scenes. He once said, “I don’t believe in taking right decisions, I take decisions and then make them right.” And that’s exactly what he did. His decisions didn’t just build wealth; they built a nation’s reputation.

For a man who had every reason to enjoy the trappings of luxury, Ratan Tata lived a surprisingly simple life. He could’ve lived in palatial estates, but he chose to remain low-key. He could’ve retired to a life of ease, but instead, he focused on philanthropy and finding ways to uplift the lives of ordinary people. That night, I didn’t just have dinner with a businessman; I dined with someone who truly cared about the future of India and the world.

A Legacy of Ethics and Excellence

Ratan Tata’s influence on Indian business is undeniable. He didn’t just grow Tata Group; he turned it into a symbol of India’s potential. His leadership style—marked by ethics, humility, and a relentless focus on innovation—has inspired countless other leaders across the country and the world.

Under his guidance, Tata Group expanded into over 100 countries and became a beacon of excellence. But more than that, it became a model for how businesses could operate with integrity. Even as Tata Group grew, Ratan ensured that its values of trust and social responsibility remained at its core. In a world where corporate greed often makes headlines, Ratan’s approach was refreshingly different—he believed that businesses had a responsibility to do good, not just well.

What A Legacy

Ratan Tata’s passing is a loss not just for India, but for the world. His legacy is more than just the numbers and the companies he built—the trust he earned, the values he stood for, and the way he transformed the global perception of Indian business. He showed that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of kindness and that the greatest leaders lift others as they rise.

India has lost one of its brightest lights, but Ratan Tata’s influence will be felt for generations. He leaves behind a business empire that will continue to thrive, but more importantly, he leaves behind an example of what true leadership looks like.