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Ratan Tata is no longer among us but his life story is an inspiration and message for everyone. Responding to opponents teaches you to achieve your goal. Let us know how he proved himself at every opportunity of life and became a legend in the country and the world.
Pick up the stones that people throw at you and make a monument of them. Ratan Tata said this and lived it. His parents got divorced in his childhood. Brought up by grandmother's hands. There was love but there was sacrifice and then… moving on. Questions were raised on the decisions but what was said was done. Responded to the opposition and became immortal in history as a great businessman of the country.
Parents' divorce, Ratan Tata's education, upbringing and love
He was born on 28 December 1937 in Mumbai to Naval and Sunu Tata. Separated from parents at the age of 10. After the divorce, the father married Swiss Milla Simon Dunoyer and the mother moved in with Sir Jamsetji Jijbhoy, but Ratan was brought up by his grandmother Nawazbai Tata, whom he loved very much.
He received his early education from Campion School, Bombay. Reached Cathedral & John Connon School and Bishop Cotton School in Shimla. Came to America for higher studies and obtained a bachelor's degree in Architecture from Cornell University. In 1975, he did Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School, Britain.
Stayed in America for seven years. After graduation worked in Los Angeles. I fell in love here. He himself had announced this case. Ratan Tata said that when he was in America, he would have got married but his grandmother called him and during that time war broke out between India and China. “I stayed in India and got married there.”
'The biggest risk is not to take risks…Thus with this philosophy he became the gem of India.'
After returning to India, he started working as an assistant at Tata Steel in Jamshedpur in 1962. After apprentice, he was made project manager. With his way of working, he started reaching heights and became the special assistant to Managing Director SK Nanavati. His thinking and way of working brought his name to Bombay and JRD Tata invited him to come to Bombay.
He said, there is only one thing in this world that can make a person unsuccessful and that is the habit of not taking risks. Ratan Tata said, not taking risk is the biggest risk. JRD Tata entrusted him with the responsibility of reviving the weak companies Central India Mills and Nelco. It happened as expected. Within three years those companies started making profits. In the year 1981, Ratan was made the head of Tata Industries.
When JRD turned 75, the debate started as to who would be his successor. There were many names in the list. Ratan Tata also felt that there were only two contenders for the post of successor – Palkhiwala and Rusi Modi. But JRD Tata had his eyes on Ratan. Ratan was succeeded in 1991 when he resigned as President at the age of 86.
Confident of proving the decision correct…answers to some questions like this
Ratan Tata said, 'I do not believe in taking the right decision. I take the decision and then prove it right…' He did just that. There was a time when business leaders questioned Ratan Tata's intelligence, but he stuck to his decision. In 2000, it acquired Tetley, a British group twice its size. Then its decision was questioned, but now it is the second largest tea company in the world. The second time questions were raised when he bought Corus, Europe's second largest steel manufacturing company, but this time again Ratan Tata impressed everyone.
Face challenges with patience…Ford buys the brand it taunted
Ratan Tata believed that challenges should be faced with patience and perseverance. Because, this is the foundation stone of success. He also presented an example of this. Before Tata Nano, he had launched Tata Motors' Indica car in the Indian market in 1998. It was the first car designed in India. If it was not successful it was decided to sell it to Ford Motor Company. During the conversation, Ford took a jibe at Ratan Tata and said that if he bought his Indica, he would be doing the Indian company a huge favor.
This made Ratan Tata and the entire team very upset. The deal was cancelled. The situation had changed after 10 years. After 10 years, Ford reached its worst phase. He decided to sell Jaguar and Land Rover. Ratan Tata acquired both these brands for US$2.3 billion. However, trade analysts questioned the acquisition and said the deal would prove to be a burden for the Tata Group. Tata Group has been a major contributor in promoting this group of consulting services. This did not let the company lag behind.
Amidst all the challenges, controversies and achievements, Tata Group has been one of those business groups on which the trust of Indians has never wavered. Then, during the time of Covid, a help of Rs 1500 crore was provided or permission was also given to use their luxury hotels for the patients. Ratan Tata is no longer with us today but his achievements and contribution to the progress of the country will always be remembered.
