How Ratan Tata Entered The Family Fold Of Jamshedji Tata

Ratan Naval Tata, a Zoroastrian Parsi, was born and raised in colonial Bombay, which later became Mumbai. He made his mark in independent India’s bustling metropolis. Though he carried the Tata name, his father, Naval Tata, was adopted by Navajbai Tata, the wife of Sir Ratanji Jamsetji Tata, the youngest son of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Tata. This 1908 adoption paved the way for Ratan Tata’s eventual leadership. Raised with humility, Ratan Tata followed his father’s path, working his way up from the bottom of the Tata Group. In 1962, fresh out of Cornell University with a degree in architecture, Tata began at the National Radio and Electronics Company Limited. By 1991, he succeeded J.R.D. Tata as chairman of Tata Group. During his 21-year tenure, Tata led the group to new heights, acquiring global brands like Tetley, Jaguar-Land Rover, and Corus Steel. Despite his massive success, Tata remained humble, leading with compassion. His employees, like Vikas Tyagi, saw him as a family member who was always there to help. His legacy, marked by vision, humility, and service to India, will live on through the lives he touched and the industries he transformed.