'His Vision Was Inspiring To Hear': Google CEO Sundar Pichai Recalls Last Meeting With Ratan Tata

Soon after reports of Ratan Tata’s passing emerged, Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared a heartfelt post on the social media platform X on Thursday, reflecting on his last meeting with the former Tata Group chairman.

Pichai reminisced about their meeting at Google, where they discussed the progress of Waymo—a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, focused on self-driving technology.

The Google CEO also highlighted how Tata “deeply cared about making India better” and noted that he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in both business and philanthropy.

Pichai credited Tata with playing a crucial role in mentoring and developing modern business leadership in India.

“My last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we talked about the progress of Waymo and his vision was inspiring to hear. He leaves an extraordinary business and philanthropic legacy and was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India. He deeply cared about making India better. Deep condolences to his loved ones and Rest in Peace Shri Ratan Tata Ji,” Pichai wrote in his post on Tata’s passing on X.

The 86-year-old Tata passed away late on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. He had been receiving intensive care at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

Who is Ratan Tata?

As the former chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata led the conglomerate for over 20 years, transforming it into a global powerhouse through a series of high-profile acquisitions.

After graduating with a degree in architecture from Cornell University, he returned to India in 1962 to work for the group founded by his great-grandfather nearly a century earlier.

During his career, he held positions in several Tata companies, including Telco (now Tata Motors Ltd) and Tata Steel Ltd, where he successfully turned around losses and increased market share at National Radio & Electronics Company.

In 1991, he succeeded his uncle, J.R.D. Tata, as chairman, just as India was embarking on significant economic reforms that opened its markets to the world and sparked a period of rapid growth.

One of his first initiatives was to streamline the management of the Tata Group by enforcing retirement ages, promoting younger leaders to senior positions, and increasing oversight of its companies.

In 1996, he founded Tata Teleservices and took Tata Consultancy Services, the group’s main revenue source, public in 2004.

Among his notable projects at Tata Motors were the Indica, the first car designed and built in India, and the Nano, which was marketed as the world’s cheapest car. He even contributed initial sketches for both models.

A licensed pilot who occasionally flew the company plane, Tata never married. He was known for his quiet demeanor, modest lifestyle, and dedication to philanthropy.

About two-thirds of the share capital of Tata Sons, the group’s holding company, is held by philanthropic trusts.

After stepping back from the Tata Group, Ratan Tata became a prominent investor in Indian startups, supporting numerous companies, including digital payments firm Paytm, Ola Electric (a unit of ride-hailing firm Ola), and home and beauty services provider Urban Company.

Among his many accolades, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in 2008 for his exceptional and distinguished service in trade and industry.

(With inputs from Reuters)