The name Ratan Naval Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, possibly conjures up an image of a philanthropist more than an industrialist which was his calling. He was a beacon of India Inc. who steered his group amid India’s economic liberalisation and, subsequently, guided its global expansion. One of India's most iconic business leaders, Tata has left an indelible mark on the country's corporate landscape. As the chairman of the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012, he transformed the conglomerate into a global powerhouse, while upholding the values of philanthropy and social responsibility that have defined the Tata legacy. On his journey, Ratan Tata has demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and compassion, inspiring generations of entrepreneurs and citizens alike. Tata’s contributions extended far beyond the business world. His dedication to philanthropy, particularly in education, healthcare, and rural development, has left a lasting impact on millions of people in India. One of the largest charitable organisations in India, Tata Trusts, under Tata’s guidance, has consistently supported projects that benefit education, healthcare, and rural development. His philosophy was clear: the success of a company is intrinsically linked to the welfare of society.
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Closer home, in Tata’s passing Assam has lost a friend and a great well-wisher. While the entire nation mourns for his demise, he will always be remembered amongst Assamese people as the messiah who spent his twilight days dedicated to improving the social and economic conditions of the state. “I dedicate my last years to help make Assam a state that recognises and is recognised by all,” the industrialist had said while attending a foundational event at Khanikar Ground, Dibrugarh, in 2022. During that event he reaffirmed his commitment to Assam’s natives by inaugurating seven new cancer hospitals in the region, existing at Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Darrang, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat. Besides, seven more hospitals were committed to be established in Phase 2, around the regions of Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Tinsukia, and Golaghat. All of these constitute one project under the supervision of the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, a joint venture of Tata Sons and the Government of Assam. That was not all. The Tata Group invested ₹27,000 crore to set up a semiconductor manufacturing unit earlier this year in March. While the semiconductor industry is still in its nascent stage across India’s regions, Tata’s commitment to push Assam as one of the subcontinent’s first states in providing self-reliance and modernisation cannot be ignored.
Tata has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs to prioritise social responsibility and philanthropy. His commitment to innovation and global expansion has positioned India as a significant player in the global economy. His remarkable journey serves as a testament to visionary leadership, philanthropic spirit, and the power of transformative ideas. As India continues to grow and evolve, his legacy will remain a beacon of inspiration, guiding future leaders to build a better world for all.
