Google CEO Sundar Pichai pays tribute to Ratan Tata: ‘His vision was truly inspiring’

Soon after the news of Ratan Tata passing away was out, Google CEO Sundar Pichai posted a touching tribute on the social networking site X on Thursday, reminiscing on his final conversation with the former Tata Group chairman.

Pichai recalled their meeting at Google, where they reviewed the progress of Waymo—a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google's parent company that focusses on self-driving technology.

Google CEO, Sundar Pichai on Ratan Tata's demise

The Google CEO also stated that Tata "deeply cared about making India better" and that he leaves a remarkable legacy in both business and philanthropy.?Pichai thanked Tata for helping to mentor and create modern corporate leadership in India.

Sundar Pichai stated that at his last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, they reviewed Waymo's development and that Tata's vision was extremely encouraging. He emphasised Tata's exceptional legacy in business and philanthropy, recognising his vital contribution in developing modern commercial leadership in India. Pichai acknowledged Tata's significant devotion to improve the country and expressed his heartfelt condolences to his loved ones before paying respect to Ratan Tata's lasting effect.

Tata, 86, died late Wednesday from age-related problems. He had been in intensive care at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.?Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group, oversaw the conglomerate for more than two decades, building it into a global powerhouse through a series of high-profile acquisitions.

After earning a degree in architecture from Cornell University, he went to India in 1962 to work for the organisation started by his great-grandfather nearly a century ago.?Throughout his career, he held positions at numerous Tata enterprises, including Telco (now Tata Motors Ltd) and Tata Steel Ltd, where he effectively reversed losses and increased market share at National Radio & Electronics.

In 1991, he succeeded his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, as chairman, at a time when India was embarking on massive economic reforms that opened its markets to the rest of the globe and fueled enormous growth.

One of his first initiatives was to streamline the Tata Group's management by raising retirement ages, elevating younger individuals to top positions, and boosting monitoring of its subsidiaries.

He launched Tata Teleservices in 1996 and went public with Tata Consultancy Services, the group's primary source of revenue, in 2004.?Among his significant efforts at Tata Motors were the Indica, the first car developed and constructed in India, and the Nano, touted as the world's cheapest vehicle.