Ratan Tata, the visionary industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, passed away on this day last year, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond boardrooms and balance sheets. His life, marked by grace, grit, and generosity, was one long lesson in how to lead with both intellect and empathy.
Among the many memories he shared over the years, one stood out as his personal favourite: flying an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet at the Bangalore Aero Show.
In December 2019, Tata took to Instagram to reflect on the decade gone by. “It’s not just the end of a year, but the end of a decade too,” he wrote. “I look forward with excitement to the new decade ahead, which is a great time to be relevant, to stand for causes you believe in, to create something from scratch, make special connections, laugh, and write a little bit of history. Here’s one of my favorite moments from this decade, flying the F18 Super Hornet at the Bangalore Aero Show.”
That post captured the essence of who he was, curious, purposeful, and endlessly driven by the idea of staying relevant to the times.
Tata’s fascination with flight was lifelong. Before taking the F-18 skyward, he had also piloted an F-16 at the 2007 Aero India event, cementing his image as a businessman who lived with the daring spirit of a test pilot.
But it wasn’t just the thrill of flying that defined him. Today, on his first death anniversary, what the world remembers most is his rare blend of leadership and compassion, his ability to see beyond profit and put people, animals, and principles first.
A heart that cared as much as it led
Ratan Tata’s love for animals was no secret. He established India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai and was a vocal advocate for stray and abandoned animals. His bond with his dogs was deeply personal; one of them, Goa, named after the place where they met, became an inseparable companion.
When Tata passed, Goa reportedly stayed by his casket during the final rites, a silent tribute to the kindness that had defined their friendship. Years earlier, Tata had skipped a prestigious lifetime achievement award ceremony in London to care for another pet, Tango. On hearing this, then-Prince Charles is said to have remarked, “He’s a man.”
An employer like no other
For Tata, leadership wasn’t about authority, it was about accountability. In 2021, he travelled to Pune to visit a former employee who had been ill for two years. He arrived without an entourage or security detail. It was a simple, human gesture, but one that said everything about the kind of leader he was.
A quiet force behind India’s startup boom
After retiring from the day-to-day running of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata turned his attention to India’s startup ecosystem. Through his personal investments and mentorship, he encouraged young founders to take bold risks. He often described these ventures as opportunities to understand “the risks and rewards of building a business.”
His faith in innovation helped nurture a generation of entrepreneurs who now shape India’s digital economy.
Standing by his people in crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when layoffs swept across industries, Tata Group stood out. Under his guidance, the company made sure that even contractual workers were supported. It was a decision that reflected his belief that corporations carry a moral duty—to protect the livelihoods that sustain them.
Strength in tragedy
The 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel tested that same spirit of compassion. Tata personally visited the families of victims and employees, offering support not just in words but through a fund that helped affected businesses in the area rebuild.
A life that will keep inspiring
Ratan Tata’s story isn’t just about wealth or corporate milestones. It’s about decency, courage, and purpose. He was the kind of leader who didn’t need to raise his voice to be heard or make grand gestures to be remembered.
As India looks back on his life today, it’s clear that his greatest legacy isn’t the empire he built, it’s the humanity he embodied.
Among the many memories he shared over the years, one stood out as his personal favourite: flying an F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet at the Bangalore Aero Show.
In December 2019, Tata took to Instagram to reflect on the decade gone by. “It’s not just the end of a year, but the end of a decade too,” he wrote. “I look forward with excitement to the new decade ahead, which is a great time to be relevant, to stand for causes you believe in, to create something from scratch, make special connections, laugh, and write a little bit of history. Here’s one of my favorite moments from this decade, flying the F18 Super Hornet at the Bangalore Aero Show.”
That post captured the essence of who he was, curious, purposeful, and endlessly driven by the idea of staying relevant to the times.
Tata’s fascination with flight was lifelong. Before taking the F-18 skyward, he had also piloted an F-16 at the 2007 Aero India event, cementing his image as a businessman who lived with the daring spirit of a test pilot.
But it wasn’t just the thrill of flying that defined him. Today, on his first death anniversary, what the world remembers most is his rare blend of leadership and compassion, his ability to see beyond profit and put people, animals, and principles first.
A heart that cared as much as it led
Ratan Tata’s love for animals was no secret. He established India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai and was a vocal advocate for stray and abandoned animals. His bond with his dogs was deeply personal; one of them, Goa, named after the place where they met, became an inseparable companion.
When Tata passed, Goa reportedly stayed by his casket during the final rites, a silent tribute to the kindness that had defined their friendship. Years earlier, Tata had skipped a prestigious lifetime achievement award ceremony in London to care for another pet, Tango. On hearing this, then-Prince Charles is said to have remarked, “He’s a man.”
An employer like no other
For Tata, leadership wasn’t about authority, it was about accountability. In 2021, he travelled to Pune to visit a former employee who had been ill for two years. He arrived without an entourage or security detail. It was a simple, human gesture, but one that said everything about the kind of leader he was.
A quiet force behind India’s startup boom
After retiring from the day-to-day running of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata turned his attention to India’s startup ecosystem. Through his personal investments and mentorship, he encouraged young founders to take bold risks. He often described these ventures as opportunities to understand “the risks and rewards of building a business.”
His faith in innovation helped nurture a generation of entrepreneurs who now shape India’s digital economy.
Standing by his people in crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when layoffs swept across industries, Tata Group stood out. Under his guidance, the company made sure that even contractual workers were supported. It was a decision that reflected his belief that corporations carry a moral duty—to protect the livelihoods that sustain them.
Strength in tragedy
The 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel tested that same spirit of compassion. Tata personally visited the families of victims and employees, offering support not just in words but through a fund that helped affected businesses in the area rebuild.
A life that will keep inspiring
Ratan Tata’s story isn’t just about wealth or corporate milestones. It’s about decency, courage, and purpose. He was the kind of leader who didn’t need to raise his voice to be heard or make grand gestures to be remembered.
As India looks back on his life today, it’s clear that his greatest legacy isn’t the empire he built, it’s the humanity he embodied.
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