Ratan Tata, the esteemed veteran industrialist and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, is reportedly in critical condition at a Mumbai hospital. This news was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the situation. Tata is currently receiving intensive care at the hospital.
Just a few weeks ago, on October 7th, the 86-year-old Tata addressed concerns regarding his health in a social media post, dismissing them as ‘rumors’. He assured his followers that he was undergoing routine check-ups for age-related medical conditions and that there was no cause for alarm. He even stated he remained in good spirits. “I am currently undergoing medical check-ups due to my age-related medical conditions,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “There is no cause for concern. I remain in good spirits.”
However, Tata was rushed to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital in the early hours of Monday after experiencing a drop in blood pressure. This news has understandably generated significant concern amongst the public and business circles.
Ratan Tata’s legacy as a business leader is undeniable. He took the helm of Tata Sons in March 1991 and served as Chairman until December 28, 2012. During his tenure, the Tata Group experienced phenomenal growth, with its revenue increasing manifold to USD 100.09 billion in 2011-12, a significant jump from a mere ₹ 10,000 crore in 1991. Tata’s leadership also saw the group engage in some notable acquisitions, starting with Tetley by Tata Tea for USD 450 million in 2000, followed by the acquisition of steelmaker Corus by Tata Steel in 2007 for GBP 6.2 billion, and the landmark purchase of Jaguar LandRover by Tata Motors in 2008 for USD 2.3 billion. These acquisitions marked a significant expansion of the group’s international presence, with over half of its revenues derived from outside India.
After retiring from his role as Chairman, Tata was involved in a boardroom battle with his successor, Cyrus Mistry, who was removed as Chairman of Tata Sons on October 24, 2016. Tata served as Interim Chairman following Mistry’s removal and then handed over the reins of the group to N Chandrasekaran in January 2017. He then transitioned to the role of Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons.
The news of Tata’s hospitalization has understandably sparked concern and well wishes from across the globe. The business world and the nation await updates on his condition, hoping for a swift recovery for this iconic figure.
