Today, October 9, 2025, marks one year since the demise of Ratan Tata. The outpouring of love and respect that we witnessed when he passed away was both special and rare. Millions of Indians felt a sense of personal loss. He was an icon for people across age groups. What lay at the heart of his leadership, that endeared him to an entire nation?

Over the past year, I have interviewed many people who worked closely with Ratan Tata, in an attempt to answer this question. I have discovered that a single powerful theme cut through various facets of his life — his urge and resolve to do what is right.

Ratan Tata was a pioneer who took the Tata group into new and uncharted areas, including passenger cars and onto the global stage. He was an outstanding industrialist who steered the rapid and pr

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