In a 2010 interview with NDTV, Ratan Tata recounted a conversation with a fellow industrialist who suggested he pay ₹15 crore to a minister to facilitate a business deal. Tata, known for his principles, firmly refused. The other businessman, curious about how Tata managed to avoid corruption, asked him directly, “How do you avoid corruption?”
Tata’s response was both simple and profound: “It has to be self-regulating. You will never understand.”
This candid remark exemplified Tata’s commitment to ethical business practices. He later added, “I want to go to bed at night feeling that I have not done it (corruption),” emphasizing his personal and professional integrity.
Ratan Tata passed away at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and moral fortitude. His death has been marked by an outpouring of grief and respect from across the country. As a tribute to his life and contributions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a day of mourning, and the national flag will be flown at half-mast across government offices in the state.
Tata’s body will be kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai today, where the public can pay their last respects from 10 am to 4 pm. He will be cremated with full state honors, symbolizing the immense impact he had on India’s business and social landscape.
Ratan Tata’s legacy is not only defined by his business achievements but also by his unwavering dedication to honesty and ethical leadership