♦ The former Tata Group Chairman, Ratan Naval Tata passes away on 9 October 2024. He was 86. He was born on 28 December 1937. Ratan Tata served as Chairman of Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012, then interim chairman from October 2016 through February 2017. 

♦ He founded telecommunications company Tata Teleservices in 1996 and took IT company Tata Consultancy Services public in 2004.

♦ In a role reversal in 2004, Tata Group, an Indian company, having acquired iconic British car brands - Jaguar and Land Rover - found itself cast as reverse colonialists.

♦ In 2009, Ratan Tata fulfilled his promise to make the world's cheapest car accessible to the middle class. The Tata Nano, priced at Rs.1 lakh, became a symbol of innovation and affordability.

♦ In 2008, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second- highest civilian honour. He had received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest, in 2000.