“My last meeting with Ratan Tata”: Sundar Pichai remembers his last conversation with India’s business icon

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, has expressed deep sadness at the death of Ratan Tata, the famous Indian industrialist and philanthropist, who passed away on October 9, 2024 at the age of 86. Pichai, who met Tata during one of his visits to Google, highlighted the lasting impact that the former chairman of Tata Sons had on Indian corporate leadership and the global community.

Reflecting on his last interaction with Tata, Pichai said, “In my last meeting with Ratan Tata at Google, we discussed the progress of Waymo and it was inspiring to listen to his vision.” Tata, known for his visionary leadership, had a keen interest in new technologies and the future of mobility, including autonomous vehicles such as Waymo, Google's self-driving car project.

Pichai praised Tata's commitment to driving innovation and mentoring the next generation of business leaders in India. “He leaves behind an exceptional business and philanthropic legacy,” Pichai noted, acknowledging Tata’s role in shaping modern Indian industry. “He was instrumental in mentoring and developing modern corporate governance in India. He was very passionate about making India better.”

In his message, Pichai also expressed his condolences to Tata's family and loved ones and concluded by saying, “Rest in peace, Shri Ratan Tata Ji.”

Ratan Tata's contributions extended beyond business, where he oversaw the transformation of the Tata Group into a global powerhouse. Under his leadership, the group made landmark acquisitions, including Jaguar Land Rover and Corus Steel, which made Tata a household name worldwide.

Outside the boardroom, Tata was known for his immense philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Tata Trusts, which funded initiatives in healthcare, education and rural development. His humility and personal integrity made him a respected figure both in India and abroad.

Tata's family, in their public announcement, expressed their gratitude for the love and respect shown to him after his death. They stressed that Tata's legacy of “humility, generosity and determination” will continue to inspire future generations.