The man called Ratan
The Week — February 8, 2007

Ratan Tata's 'Corus Conquest' is just the beginning of the Indian industrial saga of 'How the West was won'. There are instances in history which reveal that often the time makes the man; World War II made the man Churchill, British Raj and Indian Independence struggle made the man Gandhi. Contrary to such instances, Ratan from the days of his youth was making the man in himself and was already 'made' when the time came.

Ratan's is a story of struggle, perseverance, survival and success covering a long period of more than four decades. When he was very young, a shattered Nelco was thrown in his lap. From the shambles it was, how it has survived as a company is a wonder. It was not in the best period of automobile industry that Ratan was made vice-chairman and then chairman of Telco (now known as Tata Motors). Facing him immediately thereafter in Telco was the worst of the industrial labour unrest led by Rajan Nair.

The tough, cool and calculated handling of Telco by Ratan during those turbulent times almost gave an answer to the oft-repeated question, after JRD who? Tisco and Indian Hotels, before his becoming the Chairman, were not free from controversies and once again it was after a stiff resistance and struggle that he preserved and protected the shareholders' interest in these companies.

The Tata Group, which during those days was under a serious threat of disintegration with strong satraps like Russi Mody, Darbari Seth, Ajit Kelkar and other contenders at play, was held together singly by Ratan under his strong and visionary leadership. With Ratan's taking over as the undisputed leader of the Tata Group, he embarked upon consolidation and expansion in key strategic arrears. The opening up of the national and global economy provided the time and opportunity for which the man had already made himself.

'Corus Conquest' is the culmination of this process of making the man and certainly not the end. What will hold Ratan in one good solid piece and take him further and higher are his extremely high ethical standards, a wide international vision and perseverance. All these attributes have been tested often in most disturbing times. Ratan's contribution to the Tata Group in particular and to the Indian industry in general is not less significant than that of its founder, Jamsetji Tata.

Ratan's achievements in strengthening the group in critical times and providing leadership to the Indian industry in the national and international economy are equally praiseworthy. The licence and permit raj which followed the Indian independence had harshly restricted the growth of the Tata Group and therefore, in fairness to JRD, it may be stated that his hands were tied.

But it was good fortune for the Tata Group that, when the time came, Ratan had already made himself; and he seized the challenges and opportunities, steering the group way ahead of others with enviable grace and dignity. Ratan will go down in the Indian history as one of the greatest industrialists of all times. His contribution to the Indian industry through the Tata Group is extremely valuable and everlasting. He will be long remembered for his rare and unique adherence to noble principles, astute business acumen, inner steel-like strength, inherent fairness to the shareholders and business associates and dignified demeanour all the time.