MUMBAI (Diya TV) —  Ratan Tata, the iconic former chairman of Tata Group, passed away Wednesday at the age of 86, following a brief period in intensive care at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His death marks the end of an era for India’s most revered business empire, which he transformed from a domestic conglomerate into a global powerhouse.

Tata, who helmed the Tata Group for over two decades, was a pivotal figure in shaping India’s modern industrial landscape. His leadership was defined by bold acquisitions, including the purchases of British brands Jaguar and Land Rover, and Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus. Tata was not just a business leader, but also a compassionate philanthropist whose initiatives touched millions of lives. “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,” Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

Ratan Tata was born in 1937 into the prominent Tata family, which had already established a legacy of entrepreneurship and philanthropy in India. He earned a degree in architecture from Cornell University before joining the family business in 1962. His early contributions to companies such as Tata Steel and Tata Motors foreshadowed his eventual rise to chairman in 1991, succeeding his uncle, J.R.D. Tata.

Taking over at a time when India was liberalizing its economy, Ratan Tata led the company through a transformative period. One of his key moves was enforcing retirement ages for company executives and promoting younger talent to leadership roles. This marked a cultural shift within Tata, which had previously been run by an older generation of business leaders.

Under Tata’s leadership, the company embraced globalization with unprecedented ambition. His vision steered the group toward landmark acquisitions, starting with British tea brand Tetley in 2000. The $13 billion acquisition of Corus in 2007 and the $2.3 billion purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 further cemented Tata Group’s position on the global stage. “We could grow by acquisitions which earlier we had never done,” Tata reflected in a 2013 interview with Stanford Graduate School of Business. His risk-taking approach paid off, catapulting the Tata brand into international recognition.

Beyond corporate success, Tata’s leadership was also characterized by a deep sense of social responsibility. He championed affordable solutions for India’s masses, including the Tata Nano, a car priced at just 100,000 rupees (about $1,200). While the Nano struggled commercially due to marketing and safety issues, the project embodied Tata’s desire to address the transportation needs of India’s lower and middle classes.

His philanthropic legacy is equally impactful. More than two-thirds of the shares of Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, are held by charitable trusts. These trusts fund initiatives across education, healthcare, and rural development, ensuring that Tata’s legacy continues to benefit society. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Tata’s contributions on social media, saying, “He provided stable leadership to one of India’s oldest and most prestigious business houses. At the same time, his contribution went far beyond boardrooms.”

Ratan Tata’s life was not without challenges. His leadership was scrutinized during a public feud with his successor, Cyrus Mistry, who was ousted from Tata Sons in 2016. Despite the controversy, Tata remained a towering figure in Indian industry and continued to influence the business landscape as an investor in startups such as Paytm and Ola Electric.

Known for his humility and modest lifestyle, Ratan Tata never married. He was a licensed pilot who enjoyed flying the company plane and maintained close ties with his family’s animal welfare efforts. His personal Instagram account, followed by nearly 10 million people, reflected his deep commitment to philanthropy and animal care.

For his exceptional service to industry, Tata received the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, two of India’s highest civilian honors. Tata’s passing leaves a void in both the corporate and philanthropic worlds. “India has lost a giant,” said Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. “With him gone, all we can do is to commit to emulating his example.”