On October 9th, the world lost an innovative industrial and philanthropic giant when Shri Ratan Naval Tata passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy valued at over $100 billion.
Trained as an architect at Cornell University, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1962 and returned to India in 1970 to take a managerial position within the Tata Group, a successful conglomerate led by his father, Naval Tata, since 1941. In 1991, Ratan Tata was named the successor by Chairman J.R.D. Tata. He focused on innovation and operational efficiency, ushering in an era of globalization for the conglomerate. Under his leadership, Tata Group’s revenue grew fortyfold, transforming it into a multibillion-dollar corporation.
Mr. Tata was also a prominent philanthropist, supporting education, healthcare, rural development, and animal welfare. He was the largest international donor to his alma mater, Cornell University, and established numerous technical and educational centers at prestigious institutions worldwide, including MIT, the University of California San Diego, Harvard Business School, the University of New South Wales, and the Indian Institute of Technology.
In 2001, The Ohio State University honored Ratan Tata with an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree. He is pictured above with then Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Bobby Moser; Associate Dean of CFAES, Dave Hansen; and Distinguished University Professor Rattan Lal during his honoris causa ceremony.
Dr. Lal cherishes the fond memories of visiting and dining with Mr. Tata in India. He recalls a particularly poignant meeting at the Taj Mahal Hotel shortly after the November 26 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Mr. Tata demonstrated remarkable resilience, prioritizing the care of employees’ families affected by the tragedy and committing to rebuild stronger than ever. Mr. Tata’s strength in the face of adversity has left a lasting impression on Dr. Lal.
“None can destroy iron, but its own rust can. Likewise, none can destroy a person, but his own mindset can.” – Ratan Naval Tata
Additionally, Ratan Tata generously contributed $200,000 per year to the work of the Lal Carbon Center from 2000 to 2010 through the Sir Dorab Ji Tata Trust and the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation. Dr. Lal is profoundly grateful for this support, which was critical for the Center during that period.
His legacy will endure in the hearts and minds of all the people he influenced throughout the globe, particularly those at the Lal Carbon Center who had the privilege of meeting him.
For more news from C-FARM and the Lal Carbon Center, explore our Autumn Newsletter.