New Delhi:

In February 2007, Ratan Tata took to the skies in a high-speed adventure that few would ever experience. At the Aero India Show held in Bengaluru, Mr Tata, 69 at the time, was invited by US defence contractor Lockheed Martin to co-pilot an F-16 fighter jet. 

Known for his aviation skills, Mr Tata, who held licenses to fly both jets and helicopters, seized the opportunity to co-pilot the combat aircraft. Under the guidance of a seasoned Lockheed Martin pilot, he took over the controls during the half-hour flight. Soaring through clear skies and reaching altitudes as low as 500 feet, Mr Tata’s experience was described as nothing short of “exhilarating.”

READ | Ratan Tata To Get State Funeral, Day Of Mourning Declared In Maharashtra

Speaking to NDTV shortly after his flight, Mr Tata couldn’t contain his excitement. 

“You end up feeling very timid. We did a few things when the commander took over and did some roles, and all of it was very exciting. We went down to around 500 ft of the deck and it flew around the topography, and it’s just unbelievable because you just climb over a hill and come down, turn on your side or turn over. It’s just unbelievable,” Mr Tata told NDTV.

READ | Ratan Tata: Industrialist, Philanthropist, And Indian Icon

The Lockheed Martin pilot, who guided Mr Tata through the flight, shared the excitement. “He was absolutely thrilled. The highlight was when we flew at low altitudes-around 500 feet-at 600 knots. You get a real sense of how fast this aircraft can move,” the pilot recalled.

On landing, Mr Tata was greeted by Lockheed Martin officials who presented him with a miniature replica of the F-16. The American defence giant was at the time competing for a major multi-billion-dollar defence contract with India.

READ | “Thank You For Thinking Of Me”: Ratan Tata’s Last Social Media Post

But the F-16 wasn’t Mr Tata’s only airborne conquest that week. The very next day, he took to the skies once more – this time in Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet. Larger and more powerful than the F-16, the F-18 is a key asset in the US Navy’s aircraft carrier operations. For Mr Tata, who has long harboured a passion for aviation, flying two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets back-to-back was a dream come true.

Mr Tata died at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday and will be cremated with full state honours today. 

New Delhi:

Ratan Tata, the former Tata Group chairman has died, the Tata Group said in a statement late on Wednesday. He was 86. The news has been met with an outpouring of tributes and poignant memories from industrialists, politicians and other high-profile figures.

“Legends like him never fade away,” wrote Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group on X.

“India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader – he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away,” he posted.

India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader – he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/mANuvwX8wV

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 9, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “extremely pained” over the death of Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons.

“My mind is filled with countless interactions with Shri Ratan Tata Ji. I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.

My mind is filled with countless interactions with Shri Ratan Tata Ji. I would meet him frequently in Gujarat when I was the CM. We would exchange views on diverse issues. I found his perspectives very enriching. These interactions continued when I came to Delhi. Extremely pained… pic.twitter.com/feBhAFUIom

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2024

His industry colleagues, Harsh Goenka and Anand Mahindra, also remembered the “titan”. “I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata,” wrote Mr Mahindra.

I am unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata.

India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward.
And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position.

Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable.… pic.twitter.com/ujJC2ehTTs

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 9, 2024

“The clock has stopped ticking. The Titan passes away. #RatanTata was a beacon of integrity, ethical leadership and philanthropy,” wrote Mr Goenka.

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

The Congress also condoled the death of Ratan Tata, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi saying he was a man with a vision “who has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy”.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, has died at 86. Just on Monday, the industrialist in a social media post had dismissed speculation surrounding his health and had said he was undergoing routine medical investigations due to his age.

“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. 

“For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass,” said Mr Chandrasekaran.

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

As news broke, tributes poured in from the industry and beyond. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, hailing the industrialist as ” a compassionate soul and an 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 himself to several people thanks to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making our society better,” the Prime Minister posted on X in a series of tweets along with pictures.

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

Rahul Gandhi said: “Ratan Tata was a man with a vision. He has left a lasting mark on both business and philanthropy. My condolences to his family and the Tata community.” 

Hailing the industry giant, Gautam Adani said “legends like him never fade away”.

“India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader – he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti,” posted Mr Adani.

India has lost a giant, a visionary who redefined modern India’s path. Ratan Tata wasn’t just a business leader – he embodied the spirit of India with integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the greater good. Legends like him never fade away. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/mANuvwX8wV

— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 9, 2024

Industrialist Anand Mahindra said he is “unable to accept the absence of Ratan Tata”.

“I am unable to accept the absence of  Ratan Tata. India’s economy stands on the cusp of a historic leap forward. And Ratan’s life and work have had much to do with our being in this position. Hence, his mentorship and guidance at this point in time would have been invaluable. With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example. Because he was a businessman for whom financial wealth and success was most useful when it was put to the service of the global community,” said Mr Mahindra. 

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics, tweeted a throwback picture remembering Mr Tata.
 

This is a picture I will cherish forever. Such a great man and a great mind. Blessed to have known him. Om Shanthi pic.twitter.com/c5LDTgzw8o

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) October 9, 2024

Ratan Tata became chairman of the $100 billion steel-to-software conglomerate in 1991 and ran the group founded by his great-grandfather more than a hundred years ago until 2012.

He founded telecommunications company Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took IT company Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004.

In a role reversal in 2004, Tata Group, an Indian company, having acquired iconic British car brands – Jaguar and Land Rover – found itself cast as reverse colonialists.

In 2009, Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise to make the world’s cheapest car accessible to the middle class. The Tata Nano, priced at Rs 1 lakh, became a symbol of innovation and affordability.

Mr Tata was twice the Chairperson of the Tata Group conglomerate, from 1991 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017. Although he stepped back from the company’s day-to-day running, he continued to head its charitable trusts.

Cyrus Mistry, who succeeded Ratan Tata as chairman of Tata Sons but was later ousted in India’s most high-profile boardroom coup, died in a car crash in 2022. The bitter feud between the two remained unsolved.  

After stepping down, Ratan Tata became chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.

Long after retirement, Mr Tata remained a popular figure on social media, with heartfelt posts about animal rights (particularly dogs) and appeals to Indian citizens.

Carrying on a tradition dating back to the time of Jamsetji Tata, Ratan Tata ensured that Bombay House, the Tata group’s headquarters, remained a haven for stray dogs.

With over 13 million followers on X and nearly 10 million on Instagram, he was the ‘most followed entrepreneur’ in India, according to the 360 ONE Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2023.

Early Life
Born in 1937, Ratan Tata was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata, after his parents separated in 1948.

He studied architecture at Cornell University, and followed it up with a management course at Harvard.

By his own account, the bachelor industrialist came close to getting married on four occasions.

He once admitted that he fell in love while working in Los Angeles. But because of the ongoing 1962 Indo-China War, the girl’s parents refused to let her move to India.

Honours
In 2008, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second- highest civilian honour. He had received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest, in 2000.

Largest Shareholder In Tata Group
The largest shareholder in Tata Group is another Parsee businessman Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, whose 18% stake is worth 5 billion pound. His son-in-law, Noel, is also Ratan Tata’s half brother.