The world is in mourning following the passing of Ratan Tata, one of India’s most revered industrialists, who died on Wednesday at 86. Renowned for his transformative leadership of the Tata Group, Tata was not only a business giant but also a dedicated philanthropist who played a crucial role in India’s development. Following the announcement of his death, prominent tech leaders like Sundar Pichai and Bill Gates shared heartfelt tributes, celebrating his visionary contributions and enduring legacy.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to X to express his condolences and recall memories from his last meeting with Tata. Pichai fondly reminisced about their conversation regarding Google’s autonomous driving project, Waymo, emphasizing Tata’s forward-thinking perspective on innovation.
“In my last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we discussed Waymo’s progress, and his insights were truly inspiring,” Pichai stated. He commended Tata for his pivotal role in shaping contemporary business leadership in India, noting his unwavering commitment to improving the nation. “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in both business and philanthropy,” Pichai added.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also paid tribute to Tata, highlighting his significant influence both in India and worldwide. On LinkedIn, Gates reflected on how moved he was by Tata’s commitment to improving lives through various initiatives.
“Ratan Tata was a visionary leader whose dedication to enhancing lives left a lasting impact on India and beyond. I was fortunate to meet him several times and was always touched by his strong sense of purpose and service,” Gates wrote. He expressed confidence that Tata’s legacy would inspire future generations.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti expressed his condolences, noting that the world has “lost a giant with a giant heart.” He recalled Tata’s congratulations when Garcetti was nominated as ambassador and recognized Tata’s contributions to education in his hometown.
India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart. When I was nominated to serve as ambassador, the first congratulations from India came from Ratan Tata, who gave so much in service to my hometown, serving on the board of the University of Southern California. He saw a…
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 10, 2024
The US Consulate in Mumbai also paid tribute, stating, “We mourn the loss of Ratan Tata, a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to innovation and philanthropy transformed India and the world. His legacy will inspire generations to come.”
