In a sad development, Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, died at the age of 86.

“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation,” said N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, in a late-night statement.

Remembering Ratan Tata’s contribution to philanthropy, Chandrasekharan said, “from education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come”.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and business tycoon Harsh Goenka also confirmed the sad demise of Ratan Tata on X.

Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata. He was a Titan of the Indian industry known for his monumental contributions to our economy, trade and industry. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 9, 2024

The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy, who has imprinted an indelible mark on the world of business and beyond. He will forever soar high in our memories. R.I.P pic.twitter.com/foYsathgmt

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) October 9, 2024

Minutes after the news spread, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Ratan Tata, calling him a “visionary business leader, compassionate soul, and extraordinary human being.”

Shri Ratan Tata Ji was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond the boardroom. He endeared… pic.twitter.com/p5NPcpBbBD

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2024

“Ratan Tata endeared himself to people, thanks to his humility, kindness, unwavering commitment to making society better,” PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

On Monday, the veteran industrialist had dismissed speculations surrounding his health on a social media post and had said he was undergoing routine medical investigations due to his age.

Hospitalisation And Health Concerns

According to reports, Ratan Tata was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai following a sudden fall in his blood pressure. His health reportedly deteriorated and was shifted to the ICU.

Before getting admitted to a hospital, it was reported that Ratan Tata was suffering from very high and low blood pressure levels. Dr. Pratyush Mehra from Delhi said, “Orthostatic hypotension is also a common cause, which occurs when someone gets up in a hurry and the lower part of the body does not get any blood supply for a brief period, hence the drop in blood pressure. It could be due to fluid intake. Blood volume and consequently blood pressure is affected by insufficient fluid intake. Certain medicines for hypertension or heart conditions have side effects, among which is a sudden drop of blood pressure.”

Ratan Tata’s Life & Career

Born on December 28, 1937, in Navsari, Gujarat, Ratan Tata was the grand-grandchild of Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group. He became the head of the conglomerate in 1991 when liberalization was taking place.

Over the last two decades of his stewardship, he led the group into diversification and expansion in myriad sectors ranging from IT to steel, from automobiles to hospitality. He will be famously remembered for the launch of the Tata Nano in 2008 to enable car ownership by the common man. During his tenure, Tata Group achieved some significant global acquisitions – Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, amongst others.

Ratan Tata’s vision would always inspire future generations in business.