I am sure having illustrated the background of the Tata Group and predecessors connected to it the readers will be able to understand the actual role and contribution of Ratan Naval Tata to the growth and expansion or diversification of his industrial house. The legacy that Ratan Tata inherited was founded by Jamshedji whose father Naushervanji ventured into business breaking his family tradition of priesthood. In the context of Tata Group the story from Naushervanji to JRD Tata forms an important journey.
Birth and childhood
Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937 in Mumbai then known as Bombay. His early years were spent in a luxurious villa of central Bombay. Compared to those days today’s Ratan Tata leads a simpler life relatively. But there is a bit of twist in his tale. His early predecessor Jamshedji N. Tata’s indirect descendent Ratan Tata was. His father Naval Tata had been adopted by Navazbai Tata, the wife of Sir Ratan Tata who died childless. When Ratan was only seven year old his father Naval Tata and the mother Soono divorced. Ratan was brought up by his grandma Navazbai Tata. Thus he was virtually mothered by his grandma. He received his primary education in Campion School. A fifteen year old Ratan was despatched to USA for further studies in the year 1952.
Higher education and return
In USA Ratan Naval Tata graduated from Cornell University in Architecture and Structural Engineering. Then, he went to Boston and from Harward Business School Ratan passed Advanced Management Programme course.
Inspite of having rich family connection Ratan Tata lived simple just like other boys.
The rules of that period allowed a student only a stipulated amount for expenses applicable to all. Living within those limits Ratan Tata gained a rich experience and learnt the value of labour. While studying there he even washed dishes to earn extra money.
To the studies abroad Ratan Tata gave ten years of his life. A decade away from home he spent with traditional fortitude and forbearance of a Tata. Ratan Tata knew that to make a mark in life education was the basic ingredient.
Meanwhile, his father Naval Tata assisted JRD Tata in running the enterprises of Tata Group. It was a huge task.
During his studies, his dear grandma Navazbai Tata fell seriously ill. Ratan Tata kept coming to see her over times. JRD had no child of his own. Thus, in the family Ratan Tata was the youngest member. Before being sent to USA Navazbai took care of him for eight years. Obviously Ratan Tata was emotionally attached to her.
With his education Ratan Tata could have become an architect but having ‘Tata’ surname the job looked below his dignity. In 1962, his grandma Navazbai passed away and Ratan Tata returned to India forever. It was the time when in Tata Empire the Tata family was all powerful. At the age of 25 years Ratan Tata joined Tata Group and began to cross milestones.
