Biography of Ratan Tata.

Ratan Tata is a legendary Indian businessman, philanthropist, and former chairman of Tata Sons. He is widely recognized for transforming the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, into a global brand with a strong social conscience. Under his leadership, Tata Group's revenues grew by more than tenfold, from $5.7 billion in 1991 to $100 billion in 2011.

Born on December 28, 1937, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Ratan Tata is the son of Naval Tata, a well-known businessman, and Soonoo Commisariat, a noted philanthropist. After completing his schooling at the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, he went on to study architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University in the United States. He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Ratan Tata joined the Tata Group in 1962 and started his career on the shop floor at Tata Steel. He worked his way up the ranks, serving as the chairman of Tata Industries, Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, and Tata Consultancy Services. In 1991, he was appointed as the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, and held the position until his retirement in 2012.

Throughout his career, Ratan Tata was known for his visionary leadership and commitment to social causes. He spearheaded several initiatives that transformed the Tata Group into a socially responsible organization. He championed the development of the Nano, the world's cheapest car, which made car ownership affordable for millions of Indians. He also launched the Tata Swach, a low-cost water purifier that provided access to safe drinking water for millions of people in rural India.

One of Ratan Tata's most significant contributions was his commitment to philanthropy. He set up the Tata Trusts, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in India, which supports a range of social causes, including education, health, and rural development. Through the Trusts, Ratan Tata has helped fund several initiatives, including the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata, which provides affordable cancer treatment, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, a premier institute for social work and research.

Despite his many achievements, Ratan Tata faced several challenges in his career. In the early 1990s, he was faced with a daunting task of turning around a group that was burdened with debt and bloated with unprofitable businesses. He had to make tough decisions to restructure the group, divest non-core businesses, and focus on high-growth sectors such as IT and automotive.

Despite the many challenges, Ratan Tata's leadership and vision helped transform the Tata Group into a global brand that is recognized for its commitment to social causes and innovation. Today, the Tata Group has a presence in more than 100 countries and employs over 700,000 people.

Ratan Tata's life and achievements serve as an inspiration to many. He has shown that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to social causes, one can achieve greatness and make a lasting impact on society.

Here are some of his notable quotes:

• I don't believe in taking right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right."
• "I have always been very confident and very upbeat about the future potential of India. I think it is a great country with great potential."
• "None can destroy iron, but its own rust can! Likewise, none can destroy a person, but its own mindset can!"
• "Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going, because a straight line even in an ECG means we are not alive."
• "Take the stones people throw at you and use them to build a monument."
• "I do not want India to be an economic superpower. I want India to be a happy country."
• "I have always been fascinated by the concept of success and failure, because it is only in those moments of extreme darkness and despair that we truly discover who we really are."
• "Leadership is about being a servant first. It's about putting the needs of others before your own."
• "The day I'm not learning something is the day I'm not growing, so I always make sure to learn something new every day."
• "We are not a group of companies that happen to be in the same business. We are a family of companies with a common vision and purpose."

Note: Ratan Tata's life and achievements demonstrate the importance of visionary leadership and commitment to social causes. He has shown that with a clear vision and a commitment to excellence, one can achieve great things and make a positive impact on society. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders around the world.