Sundar Pichai remembers the last meeting with Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata was one of India's most respected industrialists and led the Tata Group to new heights

New Delhi:

As tributes poured in to honor legendary industrialist Ratan Tata, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai took to social media to remember his “business and philanthropic legacy.”

Recalling his interaction with Mr Tata, Mr Pichai said the chairman emeritus of the Tata Group was “very concerned about making India better”. He said they talked about Google's Waymo autonomous driving technology and his vision was “inspirational to listen to.” He added that the 86-year-old “has been instrumental in mentoring and developing modern corporate governance in India.”

Among other business leaders who remembered him were Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises.

Mr Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group who turned a staid group into India's largest and most influential conglomerate, breathed his last at 11.30pm on Wednesday at Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai.

In my last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about Waymo's progress and it was inspiring to hear his vision. He leaves behind an exceptional business and philanthropic legacy and has been instrumental in mentoring and developing modern corporate governance in India. He deeply…

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) October 9, 2024

He was born on December 28, 1937 in Mumbai. The experienced industrialist, who was educated at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, worked in the family-run company's workshop after returning to India in 1962. He gained experience in several Tata Group companies before being appointed director-in-charge of one of these companies: the National Radio and Electronics Co. in 1971.

A decade later, he became chairman of Tata Industries and in 1991 took over as chairman of the Tata Group from his uncle JRD, who had been at the helm for more than half a century.

Under his leadership, the conglomerate launched a massive expansion offensive, snapping up iconic British assets including steelmaker Corus and luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover. Its two and a half dozen listed companies now make coffee and cars, salt and software, steel and energy, operate airlines and have launched India's first super app.

After his retirement in 2012, he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.

Mr. Tata was Chairman of the Ratan Tata Trust and the Dorabji Tata Trust, two of the largest private sector-sponsored philanthropic trusts in India.

In 2008, he was honored with the country's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan.