Ratan Tata's Legacy: From Steel to the Stars

Ratan Tata, the late philanthropist and former chairman of the Tata Group, was a key figure in globalizing one of India's oldest business houses. Tata's visionary decisions shaped a bold acquisition strategy that kept the salt-and-steel conglomerate relevant even after the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990s. In the early 2000s, Tata made significant waves with the acquisition of Tetley Tea and later Corus and Jaguar Land Rover. According to historian Mircea Raianu, these acquisitions symbolized "the empire strikes back," as a company from a former colony took over the valuable assets of the motherland. Ratan Tata pursued an ambitious internationalization strategy, impressive for his determination to move forward in large leaps rather than small, incremental steps. His central role in transforming the Tata Group enabled a global expansion, supported by the establishment of the Group Corporate Centres to facilitate mergers and acquisitions. While international successes were celebrated, the launch of the Tata Nano in the domestic market was less successful. Marketed as the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano was not embraced by consumers despite its ambitions. This miscalculation ultimately led to the model being phased out. Succession within the Tata Group also posed a challenge. Ratan Tata's involvement in the succession dispute with Cyrus Mistry cast a shadow over the group's image, although Tata's strategic focus on IT, particularly through Tata Consultancy Services, kept the conglomerate profitable. Despite the ups and downs, Ratan Tata left behind a strengthened empire in 2012, positioned successfully both nationally and internationally. With the return of Air India to the Tata family in 2022, a chapter that was of special significance to Tata himself came full circle. The current support from the Indian government, which favors "national champions," promises further significant strides for the Tata Group.